It is 100 percent illegal to engage in sexual harassment in the workplace. The laws that govern such interactions exclude no one. This means that no person can legally harass anotherincluding employers, co-workers, clients, customers or any other individuals. Unfortunately, these laws do not completely prevent sexual harassment from occurring. However, there are steps you can take to protect yourself whether you intend to take legal action or not.
The most important thing to remember is that you have rights as a victim of sexual harassment. As such, you cannot legally be punished for speaking out or for filing a harassment claim. The law prohibits employers from engaging in retaliation when an employee reports sexual harassment or becomes involved with a harassment investigation.
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) offers several tips to those who have been targeted for sexual harassment. These tips can provide you with protection throughout your employment regardless of your gender. Some of the tips are listed in the following section.
— Keep a detailed record of the alleged harassment.
— Keep performing your work as expected.
— Seek answers or recourse in your company’s employee handbook.
— Do not forget that you have a limited amount of time to take action.
While it is difficult to contemplate taking a sexual harassment before the law, it is in most cases the very best way to protect yourself and your job. If you cannot decide what to do, consider consulting with an attorney about your case. In Florida, the Law Offices of Gary A. Costales takes a personalized approach in guiding sexual harassment victims towards a solution that best meets their individual needs. You can learn more about this type of workplace harassment by browsing our legal website.
