Sexual Harassment

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits sexual harassment in the workplace. Unfortunately, women and men all too often find themselves the targets of sexual harassment at work. There are many different forms of sexual harassment, but often employees are afraid to stand up for their rights for fear of retaliation. Under Title VII, it is illegal to penalize any individual who disagrees with employers that discriminate based on sex, who testifies or gives aid in the investigation of sexual harassment, or who files a discrimination charge. Different types of unlawful harassment include offering an employee job advancements, raises, or other benefits in exchange for sexual acts; threatening or implying an employee will lose their job if they don’t perform sexual acts; retaliation against an employee for declining an employer’s sexual advancements; being subject to a work environment filled with inappropriate sexual jokes, sexist comments, and offensive sexual behavior; or propositioning another employee. Sexual harassment in the workplace should never be tolerated. If you have been the target of sexual harassment, it is important to make it clear to the harasser that their behavior is unwanted, make a note of the harassment, keep any documents showing proof of the harassment, and contact Maurer Law today.