Have you suffered from sexual harassment on the job? Have you spoken up at work, only to find yourself facing retaliation from management or other leaders in your company? Moore & Associates is a sexual harassment law firm in Houston, Texas that works with individuals who have suffered from sexual harassment in the workplace and with those who have faced retaliation after speaking up.
What is sexual harassment? According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, sexual harassment includes “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature.” Sexual harassment can include disparaging comments about an entire gender. The line between sexual harassment and what might be considered “simple teasing” “offhand comments” and “isolated incidents” can be very fine.
One type of sexual harassment includes “quid pro quo harassment.” This kind of harassment includes a supervisor or manager’s request for sexual favors in exchange for promotions at work or other favors. Other types of sexual harassment can be less overt or obvious, but can interfere with a person’s ability to work. For example, a single compliment about an employee’s appearance may not be considered sexual harassment, but if the compliments are repeated, or if the comments involve discussing an employee’s attractiveness with other workers, this might constitute sexual harassment.
Sexual harassment can include sharing images or videos of a sexually inappropriate nature, or sending e-mails, letters, or notes that are sexually explicit or suggestive. Conversations about a person’s sex life, or explicit conversations could also be considered sexual harassment. Sexual gestures or inappropriate touching can be considered sexual harassment.
What kind of content might be considered inappropriate? Nude photos and images, suggestive comments or notes, whistling at a co-worker or employee, or making sexual comments about a person’s appearance or body could be considered sexual harassment. Photos of women in bikinis and photos of shirtless men could also be considered inappropriate. Touching can include pinching, patting, rubbing, or intentionally brushing up on the body of a co-worker. Inquiries about a person’s sexual orientation or sexual past can also be considered sexual harassment.
Basically, if you feel uncomfortable at work due to any of the above actions on the part of a coworker or manager, you may want to speak to your human resources department or follow procedures for reporting sexual harassment as recorded in your employee handbook. If you feel like your choice to speak up is leading to retaliation or if you speak up and the situation isn’t remedied, you may have the option to file a report with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. If you lost wages, lost out on promotions, or otherwise suffered losses as a result of the sexual harassment, you may also have the right to seek damages from your employer. Moore & Associates is a sexual harassment lawyer in Houston, Texas that may be able to assist you. It is important to have a strong case before you take the next steps. Our sexual harassment lawyers may be able to assist you with your case. We can review your situation and help you understand your rights.
What is Retaliation?
If you reported sexual harassment and suffered retaliation from a manager or from your company, you may have certain rights under the law. What constitutes retaliation? According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, retaliation can include demotion, firing, transferring you to a less desirable department or position, or giving you a low performance or evaluation. Increased scrutiny after reporting a sexual harassment violation or making threats can also constitute retaliation. Any action that makes your work life more challenging can also constitute retaliation. For example, if your manager changes your schedule, making it harder for you to get to work, or if your manager suddenly changes the standards by which your performance is evaluated after reporting sexual harassment, this may constitute retaliation. If you believe you are suffering from workplace retaliation after reporting sexual harassment on the job, you may have certain rights under the law. For one, you may be able to make a complaint with the EEOC. If you have lost wages, lost out on promotions, or lost a job because of retaliation, you may have the right to seek damages from your employer for these losses. Proving retaliation can be challenging sometimes because employers or managers may claim that they are firing a worker or demoting a worker for other reasons. But if you have strong documentation of the instances when alleged sexual harassment took place and the instances when alleged retaliation took place, you may be able to build a strong case. Have questions? Moore & Associates is a sexual harassment law firm in Houston, Texas that may be able to help.
Being Accused of Sexual Harassment in Houston, Texas?
Are you being accused of sexual harassment in Houston, Texas? You may have rights when it comes to defending yourself against sexual harassment. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission makes a distinction between unwanted sexual advancements, a hostile work environment, and offhand comments, simple teasing, and isolated incidents. Are you being wrongly accused of sexual harassment at work? Moore & Associates is a sexual harassment defense law firm in Houston, Texas that may be able to help you. If you were accused of sexual harassment by a worker who was also participating in sexual talk, or if you were accused of sexual harassment because you commented on a co-worker’s appearance once, or asked a co-worker out on a date once, you may be able to mount a strong defense. Basically, if a reasonable person would not consider your actions offensive, you may have a strong defense. The sexual harassment defense lawyers at Moore & Associates can look over your case, review the evidence against you, and can fight for your rights. If you were falsely accused of sexual harassment (the other party cannot prove sexual harassment took place) you may even have a defamation case. Accusations of sexual harassment can ruin your career, can lead to loss of employment, and can lead to difficulty in a person finding work. If you are facing these challenges, reach out to Moore & Associates, a Houston, Texas sexual harassment law firm today. We can help.
