According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), sexual harassment in the workplace has been trending downward since 2018. In 2018, there were 7,609 charges of sexual harassment, and in 2021, there were 5,581, marking a 27% decrease in three years. While that is a positive, there were still over 5,000 cases of sexual harassment. Your odds of being harassed are too high if the odds are not equal to 0. So, if you are harassed at work, you should know what actions you should take.
The number of people harassed at work is likely higher than the reported numbers because many people aren’t reporting their cases of sexual harassment. They either aren’t sure how to respond to being sexually harassed or are not confident enough to do so. That’s why we want to list the actions they can take, and how they can better their situation.
You can and should contact an employment law attorney to help. Even if you know what to do, it’s good to have support and a legal defense. Depending on who the sexual harasser is, you may need a legal defense, and you can seek damages. Contact the employment law attorneys at Bantle & Levy today.
What Should You Do After Being Sexually Harassed?
If you are being sexually harassed, it is important to remember that you do not have to tolerate it or any other form of harassment. There are a few steps you can take if you believe you are experiencing or witnessing sexual harassment in the workplace:
- Make sure to document any incidents of sexual harassment. Take notes that include details such as dates, times, locations, who was involved, and any witnesses. Keep multiple paper and electronic copies to be sure you have them. Having electronic notes also allows you to timestamp them, especially if you use Google Docs or similar software.
- Report the incident to a supervisor or human resources department as soon as possible. Your company should have outlined in your employee handbook who you are supposed to report to if you experience sexual harassment. Remember, while a good employer may support you and get to the bottom of this, do not expect it. Human Resources and similar departments are designed to protect the company, not you. If they believe they can better protect the company by siding against you, they will, but they have to maintain a paper trail. By reporting sexual harassment to them, they have it on record, and you can use that record against them.
- Contact an attorney. While it’s important to document and report the incident, it’s equally important to be ready for the response. Whether this means that you’ll receive help from your company or will have to fight against them, you should have an attorney on your side and prepare for the possibility of litigation and/or lawsuit.
- Make sure you have a support network around you. Not only is this a stressful and potentially traumatic experience to go through, but it can also only be made worse by going through it without friends and family to support you. Make sure to take care of yourself emotionally and mentally. You know how to best care for yourself, but if you need more help, there are other resources available.
Organizations Who Help Victims of Sexual Harassment
Contrary to how you may feel, there are many people who are ready to believe you and help you through your experience. In that endeavor, there are many different programs and resources that you can use and contact to get the help you need.
- One of the most prominent organizations offering support is RAINN. This organization operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline and provides 24/7 confidential support to those affected by sexual harassment or assault.
- Another resource is the Women Against Abuse organization. They have a wealth of information to help survivors of sexual harassment at work. This includes advice on dealing with pressure to engage in unwanted sexual acts as a condition of employment.
- LeanIn.org is another platform that provides resources for survivors, allies, and companies aiming to prevent sexual harassment.
Whether you’re a survivor, a friend or family member, or an employer seeking to create a safe work environment, these resources provide invaluable support and guidance.
Need Help Reporting Sexual Harassment? Contact the Employment Law Attorneys at Bantle & Levy For Help
It’s essential for employers to have policies in place for dealing with sexual harassment. This includes things like appropriate training for both employees and managers and then having measures in place in case training fails. Having these measures in place can ensure that all employees feel safe and respected while at work, or at least report it when they don’t.
Many employers do not meet this standard, and when they don’t or won’t, you should turn to the employment law attorneys at Bantle & Levy. We’re here to defend you and support you in the court of law and outside of it. If you have been sexually harassed at work and need help reporting it, contact us today.
