Sexual Harassment in the workplace can have a significant impact on the productivity of the individual and well-being as well. It is an issue that persists all across the globe, and San Antonio is no exception. Sexual harassment includes asking for sexual favors or some other type of physical conduct from someone’s end.
The work environment can become hostile as a result, and the company’s reputation will also be affected. Victims should reach out to higher authorities when they face any such scenario; trying to hide it will not do them any good.
Many times, victims do not reach out for help because they fear retaliation from the other end, or the social stigma that surrounds this topic can also be a factor. Try reaching out to the HR or someone above them, and make sure you take legal action if necessary.
You can file a complaint in court against that person to ensure that they pay well for their actions. Contact a sexual harassment lawyer San Antonio to get your case filed. They can help you gather evidence and file a lawsuit against the alleged person.
What can instances of sexual harassment include?
There can be various things that can come under sexual harassment; let us look at them:
- Staring continuously or leering:
If someone looks at you in a sexual manner for too long or is trying to come out intimidating by gazing at you, take note of it and report the behavior. Sharing sexual jokes or passing comments that have sexual connotations needs to be documented, too.
- Touching inappropriately:
Suppose someone is patting you or groping you without your consent; that comes under sexual harassment. Do not get intimidated and report such behavior immediately. Do not wait it out, as things can become worse for you.
- Asking for sexual favors or sexual advances:
When someone has already rejected the offer and yet they are making constant sexual advances, it should not be overlooked. Passing explicit comments can be about the person’s body or their appearance, etc. These things need to be addressed immediately.
Why do some people choose not to report sexual harassment?
Most of the people do not report because they fear they will receive retaliation from the other side. It is usually seen that those who decide to speak the truth finally do have to bear the consequences, which is very unfortunate but is also a part of harsh reality.
The repercussions can be severe for them; they might be fired from their job, or they might face isolation as well. This results in underreporting, and the harassment further continues as a result. At times, such incidents are also concealed by someone superior in the organization so that the company’s reputation will not be affected in any way.
However, if such circumstances present themselves, you need to be brave enough to file a legal complaint against the organization and the person as well.
How does the legal system provide protection against sexual harassment?
Under the state and federal laws, sexual harassment is prohibited. You need to understand the rules laid down by the legal system; they are for both employees and the employer. If you know about the legal protections, you can be more informed about your rights and how you can protect them.
This is also going to bring professionalism to the workplace and foster a more safe environment for workers. Read the legal guidelines and educate yourself about different rights that come under sexual harassment cases.
File your case today!
As a victim, you should not be afraid of the consequences; you need to be brave and do the right thing for yourself. File the case and make sure that the alleged person gets the punishment they deserve in such scenarios.
If you are too afraid to reach out to someone in your company, contact a lawyer. They can provide you with a safe environment to file the case.