Every day, hard-working employees across the country face sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace. Whether someone in a position of authority attempts to coerce an employee into performing a sexual act or a worker is constantly hassled because of their ethnicity, religion or gender, daily life can be considerably difficult for victims of harassment and discrimination.
This information should not be taken as legal advice, but is intended to help victims of harassment move forward. If you are dealing with this firsthand, you may have a number of options and should take action immediately. Although some people are able to put an end to the harassment and discrimination by talking to the offender and telling them to stop, this does not always work.
For many people in this position, filing an internal harassment or discrimination complaint with the company is one of the first steps to take. If you file an internal complaint, it is imperative for you to keep a copy of your complaint for your records. Depending on how the company handles the situation, they may be liable if they are aware of the harassment and do not resolve the problem properly.
If that fails to take care of the issue, you may want to look into filing an administrative charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or a state agency. On their website, the EEOC explains what constitutes unlawful harassment and when a business is liable for harassment. After filing a charge, the EEOC or agency will inform your employer of the harassment or discrimination. Next, they may reject your charge, look into the case or ask that you try to settle the dispute with your employer. Finally, once your claim has been processed, you may be issued a right to sue letter.
After receiving your right to sue letter, you may decide to file a lawsuit. Employment law can be complex, but many people reach out to experienced legal professionals to ensure they take the right course of action. If you have suffered from workplace harassment or discrimination, it is important to stop the abuse and hold those who are responsible accountable.
