The experience of being sexually harassed at work is one of the most demoralizing things that any employee could ever have to endure. Unfortunately, even though the #MeToo movement has been going strong, this awful behavior has continued throughout Florida workplaces, and the only way victims can ever hope to make it stop is to stand up for their rights as soon as they realize they’re being victimized.
Here are the steps you should take if you have been the victim of sexual harassment:
Get vocal:
Speak up as soon as you realize you’re being sexually harassed. Tell your harasser to stop the behavior. Tell them it makes you uncomfortable and demand that it stop.
Use your employer’s sexual harassment procedure:
Most employers have a sexual harassment procedure codified in the employee manual. Follow this procedure to the letter, save a copy of all email communication and confirm all verbal communication about the sexual harassment in writing by way of an email. Save any and all evidence of the sexual harassment in a file outside of your workplace.
File a complaint with the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission):
If your employer doesn’t take action to resolve the situation, you can turn to the EEOC with a formal complaint. This government agency will look deeper into the issue, try to negotiate with your employer and — if these actions don’t prove fruitful — notify you of whether you have the “right to sue.”
Litigate the matter in court:
Once you’ve obtained a “right to sue” notice, you can file a lawsuit in court. In this lawsuit, you can seek financial damages, reinstatement to your old job, compensation for any lost benefits, damages related to emotional duress, attorneys’ fees, court costs and more.
Have you been sexually harassed at work? Our legal team is available to help you evaluate your situation to determine what can be done about it. If you have a viable sexual harassment action that you can pursue, we will aggressively defend your legal rights all the way to trial if necessary.
