Sexual Harassment Lawsuits
Sexual harassment can happen anywhere, including your job, your school, or even from your landlord. You are protected against unlawful sexual harassment and have the right to take legal action against the harasser. Filing a sexual harassment lawsuit can help you recover compensation and put a stop to unwanted sexual advances.
Sexual harassment claims can fall under federal and state law. To file a sexual harassment case, talk to an experienced sexual harassment lawyer for legal advice.
What Is Sexual Harassment?
You have the right to be free from sexual harassment. Sexual harassment involves:
- Unwelcome sexual advances
- Inappropriate touching
- Offensive sexual comments
- Requests for sexual favors
- Inappropriate comments of a sexual nature
Victims of sexual harassment can be people of any gender identity or sexual orientation. Sexual harassers can be people of the same gender or a different gender.
Workplace Sexual Harassment
Most sexual harassment complaints involve the workplace. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits workplace discrimination based on sex, including sexual harassment. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces workplace sexual harassment laws.
If another employee harasses you at work, your employer should follow their sexual harassment policy. An employer generally has to be aware of the harassment before they will be liable. If a coworker is harassing you, report the harassment to your employer or human resources department.
Once you make your complaint, your employer must not retaliate against you. You cannot be fired for reporting sexual harassment or cooperating with an investigation by the EEOC. Other forms of illegal retaliation include changing your work schedule, demotion, or some other type of punishment. If they fail to stop the harassment or sexual abuse, you can take legal action. You can file a sexual harassment lawsuit for lost wages and other compensatory damages.
Sexual harassment can involve coworkers, clients, customers, or supervisors. There are two primary types of sexual harassment in the workplace:
- Quid pro quo harassment
- Hostile work environment
What Is Quid Pro Quo Harassment?
Quid pro quo harassment is a demand for sexual favors in exchange for employment, a promotion, or other benefits. For example, a supervisor offering a raise if you sleep with them is quid pro quo harassment. A request for sexual favors can be either explicit or implied.
What Is a Hostile Work Environment?
If your supervisor or coworkers’ inappropriate conduct makes it hard for you to do your work, you may be in a hostile work environment. A hostile work environment is a workplace where a reasonable person would consider the conduct to be hostile, abusive, or intimidating. This includes frequent or severe harassment that interferes with your job or causes you to quit.
Examples of actions that could constitute a hostile work environment include:
- Unwelcome touching by a supervisor or coworker
- Sharing of sexually suggestive pictures or videos
- Unwanted requests for sexual acts
- Unwelcome sexual jokes or remarks
Even if you quit your job, you can still file a hostile work environment claim. If severe or pervasive conduct causes you to leave your job, you can file a workplace harassment claim. Your employer is responsible for failing to stop the abuse.
Can You Face Sexual Harassment in School?
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination in educational settings. This includes private and public universities that receive government funding. If you or your child faces sexual harassment from a teacher, professor, or administrator, you can report it to the school’s administration and talk to an attorney about your rights. The school is also responsible for failing to stop sexual harassment by another student.
Is Sexual Harassment in Housing Illegal?
The Fair Housing Act (FHA) protects people against sexual harassment in housing. A landlord cannot retaliate against you because you refuse their sexual advances. If your landlord makes offensive sexual comments, you may have a housing discrimination claim.
How Can a Sexual Harassment Attorney Help?
A lawyer can review your case and explain your legal rights under state and federal law. With legal representation, you can file a sexual harassment lawsuit to recover compensation. Damages in a sexual harassment case can include:
- Back pay, front pay, lost benefits
- Reinstatement to your job
- Emotional distress compensation
- Punitive damages to punish the abuser
- Attorneys’ fees
Your lawyer can also negotiate a sexual harassment settlement for compensation. Many victims prefer this outcome because it avoids the stress of a trial. Talk to a sexual harassment lawyer to find out more about your rights and legal options.
Additional Sexual Harassment Articles
- Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
- Can an Attorney Help With My Sexual Harassment Claim?
- What kind of anti-harassment policies must I have in place as a small business owner?