Workplace harassment is unlawful. It’s a discriminatory practice that creates a hostile work environment. Usually, it targets workers according to their characteristics such as race, age, sexual orientation, religion, color, gender, or disability. If you are a victim of workplace sexual harassment, you may want to pursue legal action against your harasser. You should speak with a sexual harassment lawyer near me to know your options and what to do moving forward. Employers who don’t take action against sexual harassment in the workplace can face liability for their managers’ actions. If you think you are sexually harassed at work, you must understand your rights. 

Under the law, employers within Austin cannot discriminate against workers based on their gender. If you want to file a sexual harassment lawsuit against the offender, you should file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) first. 

Kinds of Sexual Harassment by Workplace Supervisors

Employees can be subjected to quid pro sexual harassment. This happens when a supervisor makes an employment decision like recruiting or promoting an employee based on whether or not the employee submits or rejects unwelcome sexual conduct. For instance, a worker may be promised to get hired or promoted in exchange for sexual favors. If they refuse, they may be retaliated against like being demoted. 

Typically, quid pro harassment involves someone in a company with the power or authority to make employment decisions that impact workers. These include supervisors and managers.

Moreover, supervisors may also be facing sexual harassment complaints when they make their work environment hostile. This can happen due to their chronic or pervasive sexual misconduct makes the workplace offensive or intimidating. 

Employer Liability

Employers in Austin may be liable for their supervisor’s sexual misconduct and for the behavior that leads to tangible employment operations like recruitment, termination, or promotion. Victims of sexual harassment can get a court injunction to stop the misconduct, get back pay, seek job reinstatement, or pursue compensatory damages.

If you think your supervisor or manager on the job has sexually harassed you, consider seeking compensation for all the losses and emotional distress you have to endure because of this experience. A sexual harassment attorney can help you seek justice and hold the offender accountable. They will contact your employer about your complaint and give them time to respond to it. If your employer ignores your complaint, you can take it to the EEOC. The agency will determine if you have grounds for a lawsuit.