05/20/2015 // Keller Grover LLP // (press release)
Oakland, CA—Sexual harassment in the workplace has been splashed across news headlines, with stories of unwanted attention and inappropriate touching, but do you know the range of behaviors that “sexual harassment” actually encompasses? Eric Grover, an Oakland employment lawyer at the Keller Grover law firm, explains what sexual harassment is and what to do if you’re a victim.
According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), sexual harassment is defined as “unwelcomed sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature,” that fosters an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, affects work performance or employment.
In addition, under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, sexual harassment is prohibited and is viewed as sexual discrimination.
Sexual harassment also does not have to occur by your supervisor for you to have a claim. It can come from co-workers and other non-employees around your place of employment as well.
“What people often don’t realize is that you don’t have to be directly targeted to have a sexual harassment claim,” says Grover. “Anyone can be affected by sexual harassment, even if you were just a bystander.”
If you’ve been a victim or currently are a victim of sexual harassment in the workplace, there are a few things you should do following an incident:
- Review your employee handbook or policies to understand how sexual harassment is handled within your company.
- Speak to the person targeting you about how you feel—if you feel safe enough doing so.
- Inform your supervisor of the incident and request that it be addressed.
- If the issue is not rectified, speak to an employment lawyer about your rights.
If you are successful in bringing claims against your employer, you may be awarded with back pay, damages, and attorney’s fees and when applicable, have your job reinstated (http://www.kellergrover.com/los-angeles-employment-lawyer-are-you-the-victim-of-sexual-harassment-at-work_5208.html).
The California employment attorneys at the Oakland law firm of Keller Grover have been helping victims of sexual harassment in the workplace since 2005. To learn more about employment laws and whether you’ve been a victim contact, Keller Grover at 888.601.6939.
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