Working men and women know that sexual harassment on the job still exists, but the question remains on what you can do about it. The following are helpful tips if you have been sexually harassed on the job.
Have an objective in mind. One good objective is to change the way you are treated, regardless if it is from your boss or a colleague. You want to turn disrespect into respect.
Talk to people you know. When harassment isolates you, un-isolate yourself. Tell your co-workers and your friends who have noticed a change in you since the abusive behavior began. They can corroborate what you are saying.
Talk to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). You have 180 days to file a claim with the EEOC, but sooner is better than later. Realize you have the right to be treated with respect, even if you are a subcontractor.
Document your experience. Write down who did what, where they did it, and when. Put any relevant emails in their own folder. The same applies to texts and voicemails. In the wake of #MeToo, your word has a better chance of being taken seriously, especially with effective evidence that supports your claim.
Forget your fears of retaliation. An employer who retaliates against complaints by terminating you, demoting you, or assigning you to work in an insufficient role in the organization has committed a crime. Retaliation increases the compensation you can expect. Federal laws prohibit retaliation, according to the EEOC, and they may be able to secure compensation for you, if you are retaliated against. They secured tens of millions of dollars for victims in 2018 alone.
Be a witness. If you have not been harassed, you can be the eyes and ears of other people who you see suffering abuse. If you see unfair treatment, such as a nasty joke, a touch, or an injustice, you may find it on yourself to step in and make things right because the abused person now has a witness.
Do not go through it alone. Working with an experienced sexual harassment lawyer gives you an edge in the following ways:
- You are not alone. While employers can bully individual, isolated employees, knowledgeable attorneys can push right back.
- Attorneys shield you from the emotion of defending yourself.
- Lawyers have been through this before and they know the law. If your case has weight, they have every reason to expect a positive outcome for you.
- A good lawyer can obtain greater compensation than you can on your own.
Philadelphia Sexual Harassment Lawyers at The Gold Law Firm P.C. Protect Employees
If you have suffered sexual harassment at work, you do not have to suffer being disrespected in silence. Contact a Philadelphia sexual harassment lawyer at The Gold Law Firm P.C. by calling us at 215-569-1999 or contact us online for a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia and Pennsauken, New Jersey, we proudly serve clients from the surrounding areas, including Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, and throughout New Jersey.
