No one should have to endure unwelcome sexual advances at the workplace. State laws of New Jersey and federal laws protect employees against sexual harassment, but a considerable number of such cases are reported in the state every year. If you believe that you have suffered any form of sexual harassment at your office or workplace, you should consider talking to an employment lawyer in New Jersey about your case. Below are some key aspects worth knowing.
What is sexual harassment?
Contrary to what some people believe, sexual harassment doesn’t always mean physical advances. It can refer to sexist behavior and conduct too. In general, sexual harassment cases are classified into two major categories. The first one is Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment, which typically refers to cases where one is promised something in exchange for sexual favors. For instance, if your supervisor promised a promotion in return for a “date”, it is a case of Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment. Such cases usually involve people who are in a position of power or authority.
The second type of sexual harassment case is a hostile work environment. Which could lead you receiving a letter of demotion. This refers to any kind of conduct because of the victim’s gender or sexual preferences. For example, if a coworker has been passing lewd comments or has been requesting private photos, it is a case of sexual harassment. The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD), along with Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act, prohibit such misconduct at the workplace.
Do you need to lawyer up?
The short answer is yes. It is important to understand that sexual harassment cases are not always easy to prove. The first step is to report the harasser for their sex crimes, and for that, you have to follow the company norms. In an ideal world, you would expect the company to take action, but if that doesn’t happen, you may have a case against your employer too. An experienced lawyer can help recover compensation for your suffering, which may include punitive damages too. If you have been wrongfully terminated from the job or had been demoted, the employment tribunal specialists HKM can fight for your reinstatement and lost benefits.
People often forget that any incident involving sexual harassment can impact the victim’s life in many ways. It is important to report unwelcome advances and other cases because we can only expect things to change when we make an effort. Don’t shy away from talking to an attorney about your sexual harassment case.