The challenge of sexual harassment in the workplace affects employees across various industries. While reporting such misconduct is a crucial step in combating it, victims often face another insidious problem – retaliation. It is important for those who have experienced sexual harassment to understand how to address potential retaliation that may occur after reporting an incident.
Understanding Your Rights
Federal and state laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Illinois Human Rights Act, protect employees from retaliation for reporting sexual harassment. These laws prohibit employers from punishing employees who engage in “protected activities” such as filing a harassment complaint or participating in an investigation.
Recognizing Retaliation
Retaliation can take many forms. It may be blatant, such as demotion, job reassignment, pay cuts, or termination. However, it can also be more subtle, including things such as exclusion from meetings, negative performance reviews, or hostile treatment from supervisors or colleagues. Understanding what constitutes retaliation is the first step in addressing it.
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