Jackson Sexual Abuse Attorney

Assisting Clients in Jackson, Atlanta, & Surrounding Areas

Fighting Aggressively for Your Rights to Safety in the Workplace

Sexual abuse is one of the scariest and most inappropriate things a worker should not have to endure. If you have been sexually harassed in the workplace, whether by your employer, a fellow employee, or even a customer, Hawkins Law, P.C. can help you build a case for legal action. You have a right to protection against sexual abuse, and anyone who crosses your boundaries should be punished. Our firm will fight aggressively for your rights against sexual abuse and do our best to help you get the justice you deserve.

Contact Hawkins Law, P.C. for a consultation to learn more about how we can help. 

What Constitutes Sexual Harassment?

According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), sexual harassment includes the following inappropriate behaviors:

• unwelcome sexual advances;
• requests for sexual favors;
• other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.

Sexual harassment in the workplace may either be “quid pro quo” or “hostile environment” harassment. Quid pro quo harassment is when a superior in the workplace asks for sexual favors of an employee in exchange for a promotion, raise, project assignment, or overtime pay, or if they threaten to fire an employee if they do not provide sexual favors. Note that it is still quid pro quo harassment if the worker experiences an intolerable work environment due to their rejecting their superior’s advances.

Hostile environment harassment occurs when an abusive, offensive, or intimidating work atmosphere (e.g., sexual, verbal, or physical advances) interferes with the employee’s work performance. Be aware that the employee must express by their conduct that the behavior or harassment is unwelcome. Hostile environment harassment also involves a pattern of repeated offensive sexual conduct, while quid pro quo harassment may just constitute one incident.

Taking Action Against Sexual Harassment

Individuals who have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace should inform the harasser that their conduct is unwelcome and inappropriate, then tell someone what they are being subjected to. If the harasser continues to act inappropriately, the employee should then notify someone else, including, their employer, or a personnel manager and file a written complaint or grievance report. 

If no corrective action is taken by the workplace following the grievance, the employee may file a complaint with the EEOC within 180 days of the alleged sexual harassment act(s). The EEOC will investigate the situation, which may include discussing with fellow employees who witnessed the harassment, and decide whether to sue on the employee’s behalf or allow the employee to sue with their attorney. Note that an employer cannot take retaliatory action against an employee for filing a sexual harassment complaint or for speaking as a witness during the investigation.

All employees have a right to a workplace free of abusive or intimidating sexual behavior. If you have experienced unwanted and inappropriate sexual harassment at work, you have the right to file a complaint and sue in court. As experienced attorneys at Hawkins Law P.C., we can better help you evaluate your legal options to get relief and compensation and otherwise guide you through this challenging time.

Let Hawkins Law, P.C. assert your rights against sexual harassment in the workplace. Schedule a consultation with our firm today to learn more.