Sexual Harassment Claims For White Plains And Westchester County
Sexual and other forms of harassment are common forms of discrimination faced by employees in the workplace. It is unlawful to harass a person because of that person’s sex, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or based on any other protected category. Harassment can include “sexual harassment” or unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature. Harassment does not have to be of a sexual nature, however, and can include offensive remarks about a person’s sex, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or based on any other protected category. For example, it is illegal to harass a woman by making offensive comments about women in general. Harassment can take many other forms:
- Making an employee the object of sexually charged remarks
- Touching or flirting with an employee
- Propositioning an employee, even as a joke
- Posting a sexually explicit picture where people can’t avoid it
- Quid pro quo harassment – “Kiss me if you expect to be promoted”
- Tolerating offensive behavior by employees
A single minor or isolated event does not always constitute sexual harassment. To be unlawful, harassment must be either so severe or so frequent that it creates an abusive working environment for the employee or results in an adverse employment decision such as being fired or demoted.
Respected New York Discrimination Lawyers
Conduct which contributes to a hostile work environment is a violation of the employee’s right to feel safe on the job. At Sapir Schragin LLP, of White Plains, we represent employees in the Greater New York Area who have been sexually harassed. We also represent employees who have been harassed on the basis of race, color, age, national origin, sexual orientation or religion. We have built our reputation protecting employees from unlawful sexual and other harassment.
Successful Claims Against Employer Retaliation
If you are uncomfortable because of sexual harassment or other harassment at work, it is important to report the harassment to your supervisor or human resources department. If your employee handbook has a policy for reporting harassment, it should be followed.
In addition to harassment, it is illegal for companies to retaliate against employees who complain about harassment, or who report harassment to government agencies.
Have you been harassed in the workplace? Contact the White Plains sexual harassment claims attorneys at Sapir Schragin at 914-328-0366, or write us using this online form.