Columbus Sexual Harassment Lawyers

People go to work in Columbus every day to earn an honest living that will support themselves and their families. No one expects to become the victim of sexual harassment while they are only trying to do their job. Workers often do not know what to do after being sexually harassed in the workplace. Too often, they are unsure the harassment ever took place and so, they do nothing. 

The majority of sexual harassment in the workplace today is very subtle, but the feelings it causes victims are not. At first, a victim may only feel uncomfortable but over time, they may dread going into work every day. A Columbus sexual harassment lawyer can help make things better for victims so they can take charge of their life once again.

Types of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, a person may experience one of two types of sexual harassment at work. The first is known as quid pro quo harassment, which was more common several decades ago than it is today. The second type of harassment, which is the most common form today, is that which creates a hostile work environment.

Quid pro quo refers to one favor being exchanged for another. In terms of workplace sexual harassment, it usually means an employee exchanging a sexual favor with someone in a position of authority for something that benefits them, such as a promotion or a raise. For example, an employee’s boss may tell the worker that they will give them a raise if the employee goes on a date with them.

Sexual harassment that creates a hostile work environment is much more subtle, but does just as much damage. In order for harassment to create a hostile work environment, the behavior must be ongoing and pervasive. A one-time incident will not constitute a hostile work environment. The behavior must also make the work environment so uncomfortable for the employee that they find it difficult to perform the duties of their job.

Examples of Workplace Sexual Harassment

It is not uncommon for workers to be the victim of sexual harassment and later wonder if that is what really happened. This is one reason sexual harassment in the workplace is so underreported. A Columbus sexual harassment lawyer can advise on whether certain behavior constitutes sexual harassment, but there are some common examples of this behavior. They are as follows:

• Commenting on a worker’s physical appearance, especially when the comments are frequent
• Talking about an employee’s sex life in front of coworkers, customers, and others
• Inquiring about an employee’s sex life
• Distributing sexually implicit photos among employees
• Telling jokes that have a sexual nature to them
• Inappropriate touching
• Contributing to, or starting, rumors about a worker’s sex life
• Giving employees gifts that are of a sexual nature
• Communicating with employees about things of a sexual nature, including text messages and emails

Another helpful tip when determining if certain behavior constitutes sexual harassment is to consider if it would have caused another person to feel uncomfortable. If the same action would have caused another employee to feel uneasy, there is a good chance it constitutes sexual harassment.

Call Our Sexual Harassment Layers in Columbus Today

If you feel as though you have been a victim of inappropriate behavior at work, our Columbus sexual harassment lawyers want to help you make it right. At Marshall Forman Schlein, LLC, our skilled attorneys can advise on whether you have a valid claim and if so, help you recover full damages for your losses. Call us today or contact us online to schedule a consultation and to learn more about how we can help.