Your Rights as a Sexual Harassment Victim in the Workplace

Sexual harassment in the workplace isn’t just uncomfortable or unacceptable—it’s illegal. Yet many victims remain silent, fearing retaliation or damage to their professional reputation. Remember that as an employee, you have a right to a safe and respectful work environment.

If you’re a victim of sexual harassment at work, take solace in this guide from Rossman Law Group, and rest assured that there are laws in place to support you.

A Harassment-Free Workplace

All employees have the right to work in an environment free from sexual harassment. This category covers unwelcome advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct that’s sexual in nature. This behavior is illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

The Freedom To File a Complaint

If someone sexually harasses you at work, you’re entitled to file a complaint without fear of retaliation. You can report this harassment to your supervisor or your company’s human resources department. Should your employer fail to address the issue, work with an employment attorney in Boise, Idaho, to escalate the complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Legal Protection

Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that’s illegal under both federal and state laws. As a victim, these laws protect you and entitle you to legal recourse. This means that you can sue your employer or the person harassing you and seek compensation for any damages or harm you suffered.

Confidentiality

When you report sexual harassment, your employer must maintain confidentiality to the fullest extent possible. While they may need to share some information to conduct a thorough investigation, they should respect your privacy throughout the process. Your employer also can’t disclose your complaint to other employees or use it against you in any way.

Non-Retaliation

Many victims of workplace sexual harassment don’t come forward due to fear of retaliation. Rest assured, though, that the law protects you from any form of retaliation for reporting sexual harassment or participating in an investigation. This includes adverse actions like firing, demoting, harassing, or otherwise discriminating against you because of your complaint.

Understanding and asserting your rights as a victim is a critical step in fighting sexual harassment in the workplace. That fight isn’t solely your responsibility, though—it should be a collective effort. From your company’s HR department to your employment attorney, you have plenty of parties on your side that can help you get justice.