Sexual Harassment – Declining, but not Disappearing
For anyone who has ever spent time in a hostile work environment, the options for recourse must seem daunting. Unless there is a back-up job waiting in the wings, which few have, you may be hesitant to speak up for fear of finding yourself jobless.
This is known as retaliation; it’s illegal.
It also happens all the time.
For those who do speak up, chances are good that protocol will require you to file a complaint within the company. If your company is responsive, you could see results immediately. Many times, however, you will wait. When HR does finally take action, it may not even address the specific individual. Sexual harassment training is a popular course of action for many companies.
As Susan Antilla pointed out in a column published yesterday, changes in the law have put more and more pressure on victims of sexual harassment in the workplace to use internal systems to file complaints. Often, the internal system falls far short of solving the problem.
So, are hostile work environments disappearing or are employees just less inclined to say something for lack of corporate action?
Antilla acknowledges that harassment complaints are declining, but warns against assuming that this is because the problem is disappearing. She notes that retaliation in the workplace is higher than ever and that the harassment cases that do come through are often stranger and more violent.
Employees have the right to expect safety and respect from peers in the workplace. If the company won’t enforce it, then many may decide to seek assistance outside of work.
The Sacramento Sexual Harassment Attorneys and Folsom Employment Retaliation Lawyers of Bowman & Associates have helped clients across California. If you or someone you know has legal questions, contact our experienced employment law firm to speak to an attorney today. We offer free consultations.
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Sacramento Family Law Attorney Robert Bowman helps clients across California. If you or someone you know has legal questions regarding divorce, child support, child custody, or spousal support cases and more, Robert Bowman is an aggressive advocate for your rights.
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