Port St. Lucie Sexual Harassment Attorney | Florida Workplace Harassment Lawyer | Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Port St. Lucie, FL

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Many sexual harassment claims are based on the theory that a workplace has become a hostile environment. A hostile environment is one in which the sexual conduct and attentions have become so persistent and pervasive that the average person would think of the environment as hostile or abusive. A hostile environment may be created by employees (or even non-employees) whose conversation is inappropriate and offensive, or who display sexually explicit pictures. Employers have a legal obligation to make sure that the workplace does not turn into a hostile environment. If your workplace is intolerable, contact an attorney to discuss a possible hostile environment claim.

Are you being sexually harassed at work? Sexual harassment can be displayed in many different behaviors and can be subtle or obvious. Please call an attorney at the law firm of Louis P. Pfeffer & Associates, P.A., in Jupiter, Florida, at 561.745.8011. You may also Contact Us on-line.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sexual Harassment

Q: Can my employer retaliate against me for filing a sexual harassment claim?

A: No. Federal law prohibits retaliation against employees who report unlawful employment practices or who file a claim for workplace discrimination. You are also protected from retaliation for appearing as a witness in another employee's sexual harassment lawsuit.

Q: Is sexual harassment only men harassing women?

A: No matter who is harassing whom, it can be sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is verbal or physical abuse that amounts to discrimination against a person because of his or her sex. If the harassment is between two people of the same sex, the person who is being harassed must show that the harassment was based on his or her sex (not just the sexual desire, if any, of the harasser). The person suffering harassment also must have been treated differently than members of the opposite sex were treated.

Jupiter, Florida, Sexual Harassment Attorney

If strictly due to your gender, you are subject to workplace harassment in the way of offensive jokes or photos, unwanted advances, or even less overt misconduct that makes you uncomfortable, your employer may be liable for sexual harassment. An employment lawyer at Louis P. Pfeffer & Associates, P.A. in Jupiter, Florida, represents victims of sexual harassment on the job when severe and pervasive conduct has affected the terms, conditions, and privileges of their employment.

Sexual Harassment: An Overview

Board-certified mediator and attorney Louis Pfeffer in Jupiter, Florida, represents employees in and around West Palm Beach who have been victims of sexual harassment. When clients retain Louis P. Pfeffer & Associates, P.A., we contract with them to effectively resolve their legal issues, and work hard to achieve their best outcome.

Sexual harassment is not a joke. While to some it may seem like harmless horseplay, it deprives others of dignity and equality. Victims of sexual harassment have well-established rights under federal law and, in many cases, under state law. A knowledgeable employment law attorney can advise you on protecting your rights.

Sexual Harassment Is Discrimination

Sexual harassment is a form of gender-based discrimination. Sexual harassment may consist of sexual requests from a superior, tied to the quality of the employee's job or benefits, or it can be the inappropriate behavior of one or more co-workers. It is forbidden by federal civil rights law and by numerous state anti-discrimination laws. These laws give you specific rights and remedies if you experience sexual harassment in the workplace.

Sexual harassment is not just illegal; it is harmful. The most common injuries suffered by victims of sexual harassment are emotional. Victims of sexual harassment often feel powerless, developing low self-esteem. In some cases, they believe that they are to blame for the harassment or for letting it go on as long as it did.

Sexual harassment can cause a serious financial burden as well. An employee may be denied a raise or passed over for a promotion because he or she refused a superior's sexual demands. The employee may even give up a job rather than continue to work in a hostile environment.

Victims' Rights

Sexual harassment is about power at least as much as it is about sex. Your harasser may have told you that you are powerless to stop the harassment. Your harasser is wrong: there is much that you can do to stop harassment. The law gives you the power and the tools you need to fight back against harassment. File a complaint with your employer about sexual harassment. If your complaint does not bring results, file a claim with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or your state's human rights or civil rights agency. Seek a lawyer's help. You may have the right to receive compensation for your injuries, whether they are financial, emotional or both.

You also have the right to be free from retaliation by your employer. Federal law protects employees who make complaints about sexual harassment (or about other illegal conduct or discrimination) from retaliation by their employers.

Conclusion

You do not have to tolerate sexual harassment. You have the right to be treated with respect and dignity. You should settle for nothing less, especially at your workplace. If you are the victim of sexual harassment, there are many things you can do to stand up for your rights. An experienced employment law attorney can help you take the action you need to take.

DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter.

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