Knowing You Deserve to Feel Safe at Work: Sexual Harassment at Work
It’s important to know that if you have been feeling uncomfortable, anxious, or unsafe in your workplace, you have not been overreacting. You are not alone. Sexual harassment happens in every workplace and is more frequent than you may believe, though it is not easy to see. Conduct during a workplace meeting, unwanted contact in person or digitally, or inappropriate comments and “jokes” that are unacceptable and that you may try to convince yourself are harmless. In every one of these imaginary scenarios and more, your feelings are rational and you have rights and options to keep yourself safe.
Sexual Harassment is Not Always a Loud Offense.
Most people imagine that there is a blatant act of sexual harassment, or that there will be something loud to announce it, but that is far from the truth. Sexual harassment is more quiet and more subtle. It may be your manager making inappropriate comments that he makes your review or your performance feel conditional. It may be a coworker asking you out over and over again and ignoring your answer. It may be a workplace culture that encourages laughter at inappropriate jokes that make you sick. If you have to think about whether or not what you experienced counts, that is reason enough to pay attention and trust your instincts.
You Might Have More Power Than You Think Right Now
Feeling powerless in the workplace due to harassment is common. You may fear retaliation or losing your job. You may think no one will believe you. Even these feelings contribute to your harassment. The good news is you do have power. The law is on your side. You can do things today to protect yourself and improve your situation before ever going to an attorney.
Important Stuff You Can Do Right Now
- Write it down. Write down exactly what happened and who did what. Write it down exactly how you heard it and saw it. Record the foam calls. Write down the emails and texts.
- Report it. It can be scary to report harassment to HR or make an official complaint. You have no idea how it will be handled. You can be the one to create an official record.
- Prepare witness lists. This list is only as good as how many coworkers heard and saw what you did.
- Protect your performance reviews and emails. Keeping these can show your solid work before and after the harassment.
- You don’t have to sign what you don’t understand. If the harassment resulted in an offer that includes a severance agreement, an NDA, or any document that says you can’t ever sue, think about it. Ask for it to be reviewed and don’t rush your decision.
- Don’t forget to take care of yourself. Being harassed takes a toll, and your mental health is important. Take a break and talk about it with your friends, family, and therapist. Your health is just as important as getting justice.
You are Not Alone
Case filing requires you to know your rights and have your evidence, but you do not have to do this alone. Sexual harassment-related employment case filing requires knowledge of harassment laws, and many assume they have a lot of time to file when case deadlines are actually shorter than you expect. A qualified employment attorney can help you understand your options, determine the strength of your case, and fight for the justice and money you deserve.
If you are being sexually harassed at work, call for a confidential appointment. You do not need to have everything ready to go to speak to an attorney- you just need to take the first step. Your harassment and your experience are important and you will not be alone in the fight.
Disclaimer: The purpose of this article is to provide information. It should not be used as legal advice. There is no substitute for the unique perspective gained from a licensed attorney. Contact Derek Smith Law Group, PLLC for help with if you’re located in one of the following states: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida, California
