subject: Harassment Prevents a Conducive Work Environment by:Ivonne Jade Agustin [print this page] Many employees are confronted with the burden of condoning sexual advances or tolerating other forms of abuse made by their boss just so they can keep their jobs. Harassment can manifest either when they are alone or even when they are with their co-workers.
Harassment will certainly create an environment where the employee would be afraid of his superiors as they might use force to get what they want from them.
This fear can hinder workers from being productive and beneficial to the company. So, no employer should allow it and they must always see to it that their employee's rights are always protected.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment has two types. One is the "quid pro quo" harassment while the other is the "hostile work environment".
Quid pro quo harassment is where an employer or supervisor offers promotions, raises, and other advantages just so his subordinate will allow and unwillingly do the sexual favors asked by him.
In the other type of harassment, the worker is presented with a hostile work environment because of his reluctance to condone the acts of his boss. This prevents him to do his duties and responsibilities to the company which can be the grounds of his termination.
Sexual misconduct happens when the aggressor touches the private parts of the employee without consent. This, too, can be the basis of a complaint filed against an employer or a supervisor.
Many harassed workers are hesitant to file complaints because of misinformation about sexual harassment. They should know that the harasser may be of the same gender and that regardless of his sexual orientation, the complainant can be either male or female.
Also, harassment and sexual advances can manifest physically, verbally, or through suggestive body actions of the perpetrator.
Reporting the Incident
Victims should not be confused and feel that it is necessary to allow the misconduct so that they can get their desired promotion, job position, or salary increase. They must report the incident immediately as the statute of limitation applies in this type of employment case.
Workers must not be afraid to file charges as the abuser cannot do retaliatory actions against him. Also, immediate filing of complaint will also stop the practice of the defendant as it is likely that he is harassing other employees as well.
After harassment has been committed, victims must call employment lawyers who can advice them of what they can do in order to claim compensation for the damages and harm they have suffered in the hands of abusive employers.
It is important to obtain pieces of evidence so that they can build a strong case that would prove the harassment. They can gather paper trails of their transactions, if there are any, or statements of co-workers who have witnessed the fondling or the sexual advances made by the defendant.
Once proven, the victim can claim compensation, including lost wages, for the damages that the harassment has inflicted upon them.
About the author
If you have been a victim of sexual harassment and misconduct in the workplace, seek legal advice from our expert employment attorneys. For more details, visit our website at http://www.employmentattorneyservices.com/ and dial our toll free number.
