Sexual harassment at work is a grave matter. Your workplace is meant to be secure and safe, and while there are laws to protect employees against discrimination, the number of cases is huge in New Jersey. Also, people often don’t report sexual harassment fearing retaliation and consequences. Each case is unique, which is why it is best to seek legal consultation from an expert. In this post, we are discussing more about sexual harassment in detail.
What exactly is sexual harassment?
In simple words, sexual harassment is discrimination based on sexual preferences and gender. Contrary to what people assume, both men and women endure such actions. In general, sexual harassment cases can be divided into two parts – hostile work environment and quid pro quo. You should know that sexual harassment doesn’t have to be sexual in New Jersey. It is necessary to establish, however, that you were harassed because of your gender/sex. While harassment can come from a supervisor or someone in a place of power, one may also experience such behavior from other employees within the organization, including a colleague. Sexual harassment also doesn’t need to come from someone of the opposite sex.
What is a hostile work environment?
If you are subjected to unwelcome advances, actions, and verbal comments from someone at work, you may have a case of hostile work environment-based sexual harassment. Examples of such behavior include unwelcome sexual comments, physical contact, and indecent gestures. It could be something like a colleague passing crude remarks about your body or shape. Many cases are just related to gender stereotypes.
What is quid pro quo sexual harassment?
“This for that” – That’s the essence of quid pro quo sexual harassment. An example would be when a supervisor asks you to sleep with them to get a better hike or avoid a demotion. It usually involves someone in a position of authority, power, or influence.
Do I need an attorney?
The short answer is yes. Cases of sexual harassment are often hard to prove, and in many cases, people face retaliation because they reported what happened to them. An attorney is your best bet at ensuring you don’t compromise your rights and are aware of the legal routes available for the given circumstances. Your lawyer also knows that you have reasons to worry about your job, especially when standing up against your employer, and they will work accordingly to ensure the best outcome.
Talk to an employment lawyer about sexual harassment now.
