Sexual Harassment
What Should You Do if You’re Being Sexually Harassed at Work?
Sexual harassment occurs when unwelcome sexual conduct in the workplace is either severe or pervasive. That is, you have either experienced an over-the-top direct unwelcome sexual overture, perhaps physical in nature, or, over time, you have experienced less overt, but nonetheless, sexually unwelcome conduct repeatedly or on an ongoing basis. Such conduct can include sexual…
Read MoreSexual Harassment and the Gender Pay Gap
According to recent statistics, a substantial wage gap exists between men and women. For the last two decades, the gap has sat at around 20%, with men earning roughly one-fifth more than women. In some situations, where pay disparity exists, it may be possible to show sex discrimination. For example, if you are able to…
Read MoreChief Justice Roberts announces initiative to address sexual harassment
With heightened scrutiny being paid to sexual harassment and discrimination at the work place, Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. has announced that the federal judiciary will take steps to ensure that its employees are protected from harassment and discrimination. The Chief Justice notes that the judiciary is “not immune” to such behavior. Last month Judge…
Read MoreEmployers must respond to sexual harassment allegations
The recent high profile sexual harassment charges have been a watershed moment in United States history, exposing an all too common problem at American work places. It also raises a question about what employers should do when they learn of complaints against supervisors and/or co-workers acting inappropriately. When an employee complains about sexual harassment, failing…
Read MoreRecognizing Signs of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Sexual harassment and sexual assault are two serious issues that workplaces have to constantly be on the lookout for. Unfortunately, despite a culture which encourages anonymous whistleblowers and reporting those who perpetrate these acts, a number of people will still refuse to come forward, leaving perpetrators to walk away consequence-free. However, you can help your…
Read MoreHistoric Ruling Finds Title VII Prohibits Sexual Orientation Discrimination
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act prohibits various forms of employment discrimination including discriminating “based on” sex. Courts have disagreed whether this includes sexual orientation. In a historic decision, a Pennsylvania District Court held that it does, explicitly finding that prohibited sex discrimination under Title VII includes sexual orientation discrimination. In U.S. EEOC v. Scott Medical Heath…
Read MoreName Calling, Obscene Gestures May Constitute Sexual Harassment
A jury has awarded a woman over $13 million in back pay and damages in a sexual harassment lawsuit. Sexual harassment, although widely recognized, lacks a clear definition. It is not simply a single instance of name-calling, a request for a date, or a leering look. To establish a case of sexual harassment, one must…
Read MoreSex Discimination Case Filed Against Costco
This past week, the EEOC filed a sex discrimination case against retail giant Costco. The Title VII lawsuit alleges that Costco violated federal sex discrimination laws when it failed to protect a female employee from unwanted sexual advances made by a customer. According to the lawsuit although the woman repeatedly complained to her managers about…
Read MoreSexual Harassment Claims May Arise As The Result Of Workplace Affairs
Inter office affairs have several serious consequences and may result in claims of harassment or discrimination. For example, sexual harassment claims may arise where one party feels pressure to become involved in a relationship in order to maintain his or her job. A recent case evaluated the situation where a female prison employee was engaged…
Read MoreCompany May Be Held Responsible For Co-Worker Harassment
Many workplace discrimination cases involve the situation where a supervisor harasses or discriminates against an employee. However, what happens where the harasser is a co-worker? A recent employment discrimination case – Velazquez-Perez v. Developers Diversified Realty Corp. – evaluated whether a man was wrongfully terminated based on his rejection of the human resources manager’s sexual advances. In Velazquez-Perez, a shopping…
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