How to Strengthen Your Sexual Harassment Claim

Sexual harassment in the workplace is a serious problem that has a lasting impact on victims. If you are dealing with sexual harassment at your job, you may be considering filing a claim against your employer.

There are some things you can do to strengthen it to give your claim the best chance of success. For example:

Document the Harassment

If you want to strengthen your sexual harassment claim, document everything. This includes keeping a written record of each incident, saving any relevant emails or text messages, and gathering any other evidence that may be helpful. This includes statements from anyone who may have witnessed wrongdoing, surveillance footage, and more.

Under federal laws, it’s illegal to harass a person (an applicant or employee) because of that person’s sex. Harassment can include unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature.

Additionally, New York State is leading the nation with new laws to combat workplace sexual harassment. Lawmakers signed legislation in 2019 that strengthened protections against discrimination and harassment under the New York State Human Rights Law.

Documentation will not only help you remember the details of what happened, but it will also serve as persuasive evidence if your case goes to trial.

Report the Harassment to Human Resources

Although you might be reluctant to discuss your issue with anyone in the workplace, reporting your sexual harassment claim promptly to HR bolsters your claim. It creates a paper trail and establishes a history of the problem and shows that you took steps to address it.

Additionally, reporting the harassment may prompt your employer to take action against the perpetrator and prevent future incidents from occurring.

Seek Medical Treatment for Any Injuries Suffered

If you suffered any physical or emotional injuries as a result of the sexual harassment, seek medical treatment right away. Doing so will not only help you heal physically and emotionally, but it will also create another record of the harm you suffered. This documentation will be used as evidence in support of your sexual harassment claim.

Hire an Experienced Employment Attorney

Sexual harassment cases can be complex. It’s important to have an experienced employment attorney on your side. An attorney will help investigate your claim, gather evidence, and negotiate with your employer on your behalf. Additionally, if your case goes to trial, an attorney presents your case in court and advocates for a favorable outcome.

Should I Stay at My Job?

The answer to this question varies from situation to situation.

For some people, remaining in their job is necessary.

In other cases, remaining with your current employer after an incident of sexual harassment isn’t worth any legal benefit it might provide. You need to make your health and well-being your priority. If your safety is at risk, it’s always best to do what you need to do to protect yourself.
No one deserves to be a target of sexual harassment at work. If you are dealing with this type of misconduct, know that there are steps you can take to strengthen your sexual harassment claim. Working with an experienced attorney is one of the best ways to manage your situation as successfully as possible.

If you believe you’ve been sexually harassed in the workplace or you have questions about your situation, we can help. Contact Borrelli & Associates, P.L.L.C. to learn more.