It’s never easy dealing with sexual harassment at the workplace. Your workplace is supposed to safe and productive, and your employer is responsible for that. Sadly, sexual harassment is rampant in Texas, and a considerable number of cases never get reported, primarily because employees fear action and retaliation. If you believe that you have suffered sexual harassment at work, you should know your rights and options. One of your first steps in this regard should be about contacting a sexual harassment lawyer near me. Here’s more on what you need to know about the subject.
What is sexual harassment?
It is important to understand that a one-off incident may not be considered sexual harassment. If you have been facing unwelcome sexual advances, or a colleague or senior is asking for sexual favors, it is a clear case of sexual harassment. Examples of sexual harassment would be groping, pressure for sexual favors in promise of promotions and benefits, actual attempt to molest or rape, unwanted and frequented jokes and comments, and making sexual gestures. In some cases, sexual harassment may eventually lead to a hostile work environment, where an employee is unable to work.
What to do when subjected to sexual harassment?
Every company usually has a set of policies and procedures for reporting sexual harassment. If you could keep evidence, like text messages, video recordings, and emails, it could benefit your case. If the concerned person was making a gesture, or passing lewd comments, stop and warn them right away. You have the right to say that you don’t feel comfortable about their behavior. If that doesn’t help, report sexual harassment to the HR department.
When to contact a sexual harassment lawyer?
Ideally, talk to a sexual harassment lawyer before reporting the incident, so that you don’t make a mistake that can impact your case. In Texas, you can either report sexual harassment lawyer to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). Let an attorney guide you through the process, and they can ensure that your case gets the attention it deserves. Damages that you can recover from a sexual harassment lawsuit includes economic damages, compensatory damages, and punitive damages.
An attorney can tell what you can expect as compensation for the case, but remember that every case is unique. Also, you are liable for proving the allegations, so just because you believe that you have suffered sexual harassment doesn’t mean you have a case.
