South Jersey Employment Lawyers: Settlement for Victim of Sexual Harassment
September 15, 2016Sexual harassment and other forms of discrimination in New Jersey can have a real financial impact on the victim’s career. Not only does harassment put the victim into an uncomfortable position, it can also cost the victim money if he or she chooses to file a claim against their employer. Sometimes, employers attempt to “punish” employees who file harassment claims by terminating them, keeping them from promotion, or forcing them to quit through austere disciplinary, which can have significant financial consequences for the employee.
To combat these damages, sexual harassment victims are entitled to receive compensation via a successful sexual harassment claim. A recent example of this comes from Jersey City where a female police officer alleged she faced retaliation after initially filing a sexual harassment claim after another officer degraded her and repeatedly harassed her. The court ruled in her favor, settling the case for $125,000.
What Should I Do if I Face Sexual Harassment at Work?
If you believe you have been sexual harassed at work, report the harassment to a supervisor or human resources department. To have a successful sexual harassment claim, a skilled South Jersey employment lawyer must be able to prove the following:
- You were subjected to unwanted sexual attention, whether it was physical or verbal.
- The harassment was based on your sex.
- The harassment was severe to the point of interfering with your ability to perform your job duties.
Document every instance of sexual harassment you face to include the date and nature of the harassment. Keep this documentation, which may be emails, transcripts of phone conversations, or instances of unwanted physical contact, in a file and present it to your supervisor and your Human Resources department. If you cannot resolve your issue internally with your employer, you may need to file a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and potentially bring your case to court to be settled.
South Jersey Employment Lawyers at Sidney L. Gold & Associates, P.C. Can Help Fight Sexual Harassment
When sexual harassment occurs in the workplace, its primary target is generally not the only victim. By allowing sexual harassment to go unchecked, the victim’s supervisor and company set a precedent about the type of behavior that is accepted. If you have been a victim of workplace sexual harassment in New Jersey, work with the experienced South Jersey employment lawyers at Sidney L. Gold & Associates, P.C. Fill out our online form or call our Philadelphia offices at 215-569-1999 to set up your initial consultation. We proudly serve clients in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.