Zanesville Sexual Harassment Attorney

If you are working in Zanesville, you are protected from sexual discrimination under both state and federal laws. While these laws do not specifically address sexual harassment, courts have upheld that sexual harassment is a type of sexual discrimination, and is therefore prohibited in the workplace.

When sexual harassment occurs, it can leave those affected by it with both psychological and economic injuries. If you are affected by sexual harassment in the workplace, you have the right to stand up to the harassment without being retaliated against.

Understanding What Constitutes Sexual Harassment

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) explains that all physical and verbal conduct that is of a sexual nature and is unwanted and creates a hostile work environment or affects work performance is illegal. Harassment might:

• Involve a man, a woman, a transgender person, or anyone else;
• Be sexual in nature or may not be sexual in nature – for example, persistently harassing someone’s characteristics based on their gender is harassment, too;
• Affect people other than the direct victim of the harassment;
• Be unlawful even if the victim does not suffer economic injury; and
• Involve the victim and a co-worker, a non-employee, a supervisor, or anyone else in the place of work.

What Your Rights Are When You Are a Victim of Sexual Harassment

If you are being sexually harassed by someone in the workplace, you have rights. While the first step is always to report the harassment to the appropriate supervisor, if the situation is not immediately remedied, you have the right to:

• File a lawsuit against the party harassing you;
• File a charge of discrimination with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC); or
• File a charge of discrimination with the EEOC.

While you are not legally obligated to file a charge of discrimination prior to filing a lawsuit in state court in Ohio, doing so is recommended and is necessary before filing a lawsuit in federal court. Once you have filed your charge of discrimination, the claim of sexual harassment will be investigated, and the OCRC/EEOC will help you and your employer reach reconciliation.

In some cases, you may be entitled to certain damages. For example, if you have been fired as a result of sexual harassment and sexual discrimination, you may be reinstated to your position, or entitled to compensation for lost wages. In some cases, you may even be able to recover punitive damages.

Contact Our Zanesville Sexual Harassment Attorney Today

It can be difficult to speak up and take action when sexual harassment is occurring in the workplace, and you may be afraid of retaliation. It is illegal for you to be retaliated against for filing a charge of discrimination or speaking up about harassment.

At the offices of Marshall Forman & Schlein LLC, our experienced Zanesville sexual harassment attorneys are here to listen to you, and help you understand your rights and options. If you are affected by sexual harassment, contact us today for a free consultation – we will work hard for you!