The issue of workplace sexual harassment is no longer a concealed topic. More and more brave victims are coming forward and saying “enough is enough” with regard to the discriminatory and humiliating problem of sexual harassment. However, there are still many myths and misunderstandings surrounding sexual harassment.
If you have experienced any version of sexual harassment at work, you should know that you do not have to tolerate this behavior. Both state and federal laws prohibit employers from retaliating against an employee who makes a sexual harassment complaint. If you make a sexual harassment complaint to a superior and you are fired or otherwise “punished” for speaking up, you may have a valid retaliation claim.
Sexual Harassment is Not Always Easy to Recognize
In television and movies, sexual harassment is usually extremely blatant and obvious. However, real life examples of sexual harassment are not always easy to identify. For example, many people incorrectly assume that sexual harassment only involves unwelcome sexual advances or demands for sexual contact of some kind. However, sexual harassment can also include unfair treatment or derogatory comments or behavior which is directed toward someone because of their gender. A superior who makes disparaging remarks about men or women could be guilty of sexual harassment even if the comments were not actually sexual in nature.
An Employee Who Consents to Sexual Activity Can Still Be a Victim of Sexual Harassment
The U.S. Supreme Court maintains that sexual harassment can still occur even if sexual relations between an employee and employer were not forced. Many times, an employee is afraid that if he or she says “no” to his or her superior’s sexual advances, that they will face negative consequences at work as a result. An employee cannot truly consent to unwelcome sexual contact if he or she is influenced by threat or intimidation.
Sexual Harassment Only Happens Between Individuals of Opposite Gender
We generally think of sexual harassment victims as women and sexual harassment perpetrators as men. However, this is not accurate. Women can be perpetrators of sexual harassment and men can be victims. Furthermore, not all sexual harassment involves individuals of opposite genders. Men can sexually harass other men and woman can sexually harass other women.
Contact a Wheaton, Illinois Sexual Harassment Attorney
If you have experienced sexual harassment at work, you should know that you do not have to tolerate this unfair treatment. To discuss your situation with a compassionate and highly experienced Chicago sexual harassment lawyer from Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC., call us at 630-665-7300 today.
Sources:
https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/harassment.cfm
https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/sexual-harassment-workplace-lgbtq-employees-come-forward-n811751
