Workspaces are supposed to be safe. When employees harass one another, they can create a hostile work environment, and the employers can be held liable for these conditions. As an employee, you are protected by state and federal laws which prohibit harassment. If your rights are violated, Minias Law is here to help. We will fight to uphold your rights, and to make sure that your workspace is safe.
Contact us to schedule a consultation with a New Orleans sexual harassment lawyer today. Harassment is unwanted, offensive behavior. It is a form of discrimination. For example, it is illegal to harass a woman by making offensive comments about women in general.
Both victim and the harasser can be either a woman or a man, and the victim and harasser can be the same sex. Any employee, including supervisors, executives, and coworkers. Sexual harassment can also be perpetrated by outside vendors, contractors, site visitors, or other individuals. Sometimes, harassment is this explicit; other times, it can masquerade as something else. Not all bad behavior will rise to the level of sexual harassment.
A coworker who sends an inappropriate joke via email may have exercised bad judgment, but he or she is not guilty of sexual harassment because of an isolated event. If this type of behavior is pervasive, however, you could potentially have a claim. There is also a difference between sexual harassment and sexual abuse. The supervisor who comments on your outfit every day, or insists on touching your waist every time he or she walks by may be guilty of sexual harassment; the employee who physically assaults you commits an act of sexual abuse, and may be subject to criminal penalties as well as a civil lawsuit.
The first thing you should do is write down everything that happened. Next, contact your Human Resources department and inform them of the problem.
