Should I Complain About Sexual Harassment at Work?

Regardless of where you work, any form of sexual harassment is inexcusable and deserves immediate and swift legal action. Too many employers do not stop sexual harassment from happening in the workplace between colleagues or superiors, which contributes to an unhealthy and potentially dangerous work environment. If you are a victim of sexual harassment at work, it is incredibly important that you complain and report your experiences to your employer. As a victim, your rights are protected by law and you should not fear retaliation or an unsafe outcome if you complain about sexual harassment at work. Dealing with the emotional trauma and pain of sexual harassment at work is challenging, and no one should have to experience that hardship alone. If you are considering complaining about sexual harassment at work, read below to find out how Miracle Mile Law Group can help make sure your voice is heard.

In the workplace, there are two main forms of sexual harassment that an individual can experience and complain about: a hostile work environment and quid pro quo sexual harassment. In a hostile work environment, demeaning sexual comments and behavior is so persistent and/or severe that it damages your ability to perform your job well. However, lighthearted or casual comments do not typically amount to a hostile work environment as it is defined here.

In a hostile work environment, a coworker could target you with:

• Unwelcome, sexually suggestive or disparaging comments
• Repeated requests for dates
• Unwelcome and inappropriate touching
• Offensive gestures or jokes

Quid pro quo sexual harassment in the workforce occurs when someone with authority over you (like a supervisor or manager) asks or demands sexual favors in return for beneficial employment actions, like a promotion or additional benefits.

If you feel like you have been sexually harassed at your workplace and are considering complaining or reporting your experiences, it’s important to understand that you are protected by law from retaliation. One of the first steps you could take is immediately asking your sexual harasser to stop their inappropriate and harmful behavior. It is best to do this in written form so that you have a physical paper trail that would be helpful in legal proceedings. If, however, you do not feel comfortable with this form of confrontation, make sure to keep detailed records of interactions with your sexual harasser.

Next, consider complaining to your company’s human resources department. This could be done either orally or in a written letter. However, a written complaint serves to strengthen your paper trail should your sexual harassment case be brought to court. Additionally, if there are other employees who have experiences sexual harassment at your workplace, complaining to HR as a collective unit could help you feel more comfortable and less alone. It’s also possible to file a complaint with a government agency, such as the Fair Employment Practices Agency or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. This is a step that could be taken if you have complained to your employer and they have not done anything to stop it. This constitutes workplace discrimination and you could be entitled to damages for experiencing sexual harassment at work and having your complaint ignored.

If your sexual harassment case settles or you win your trial, you could receive:

• Out-of-pocket expenses
• Money for mental distress
• Lost wages (past and future)
• Litigation costs and lawyer fees

Here at Miracle Mile Law Group, not only are our lawyers highly trained in dealing with the sensitive issues of a sexual harassment case, but they are also empathetic and highly motivated to make sure your story is heard and understood. We know that experiencing sexual harassment at work can be painful and cause emotional trauma that makes dealing with a case tiring and difficult, and the decision to make a complaint can seem daunting. However, filing a complaint and reporting your experiences of sexual harassment at work is the first step you can take to combat inappropriate culture in the workplace. If you feel like you have been sexually harassed at work, please give us a call at (888) 244-0706 or contact us online for a free consultation. Remember, we do not take a single dollar unless WE WIN!