According to statistics, around 80 percent of women and 40 percent of men experience some kind of sexual harassment during their lives. Sadly, the act of sexual harassment is widespread these days, whether that is on the streets, in a supermarket, or in a workplace environment. It is easy to assume that sexual harassment is a severe problem anywhere that has a lasting effect on a person’s emotional health. Still, it is especially infuriating when it occurs in the workplace. Sexual harassment in the workplace eventually results in a hostile work environment. Such an environment can ruin a person’s career and affect the victim for years.
That is why if you have ever experienced clear examples of harassment, you must take action to make sure that the harasser in question receives the appropriate sentence. You can save other people from becoming victims of sexual harassment by taking action. To do so, contact the best Los Angeles sexual harassment lawyer.
Following are the five crucial things you need to know that can help you move forward with your life and protect yourself against the harasser.
1. Company’s Policy Regarding Sexual Harassment
In the state of California, a company is legally obliged to have a detailed policy describing sexual harassment along with the exact procedures for handling claims of sexual harassment. Therefore, first and foremost, you should examine a copy of this company’s policy. It will provide you with insight on how to proceed going forward.
2. If Possible, Say No
We know that saying no is never enough when it comes to sexual harassment. However, if possible, demand the person harassing you to stop. Furthermore, it would strengthen your case if a coworker witnessed this request. While interacting with a harasser can be extremely tough, it is important to elucidate that the behavior deeply offends you and that you want it to stop. This helps your case, especially if you pursue a legal route.
Your next step should be notifying your employer, supervisor, or HR. But, in some cases, superiors can be the individuals behaving in such an offensive manner. If that is the situation, your best is a sexual harassment attorney.
3. Document the Occurrence
If the harassment happens constantly, you can try to document the occurrence. You can do so by writing down the time, date, location, and dialogue. Unfortunately, you may not be able to prove it via video or audio due to California’s ‘two-party-consent’ rule. But, documentation really helps the case.
4. Follow the Guidelines
If your company has a handbook for reporting sexual harassment, follow it to a T. Present the evidence you have assembled to support your claim to the human resources department or management. Now, in an ideal world, that would be the end of the harrowing situation and the beginning of a solution.
Unfortunately, very few businesses follow the sexual harassment policy’s rule correctly. Most of the time, a company’s HR department has conflicting interests and will not take any concrete action to stop the occurrence. For example, some HR departments tend to side with the company instead of the employee – very ironic considering the department’s name. Due to this double-dealing, it is hard to determine whether your concerns will be supported or not.
5. Contact a Dedicated Lawyer to Assess Your Case
Suppose your employer, management, and human resources department do not take any action against the harasser. In that case, you have no choice but to turn to a lawyer who specializes in sexual harassment cases. In such cases, the company is liable to protect their employee, so the possibility of suing the company is on the table.
Disclosure: collaborative post
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