Ever since the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed, we’ve had the legal foundation to seek compensation for sexual harassment. Yet this form of discrimination is still rampant, as the voices of the recent #MeToo movement revealed.
Morelli Law has been at the forefront of the fight against sexual harassment. We successfully sued Bill O’Reilly and Fox News for sexually harassing workers and secured the largest single plaintiff sexual harassment verdict in the nation’s history. Our Englewood sexual harassment attorneys are ready to help you.
Look Out for Sexual Harassment Red Flags
In personal injury cases, we see two major categories of sexual harassment. These are not the only types. But if you see or experience these kinds of behavior, you may wish to speak with a sexual harassment lawyer in Englewood for advice.
Hostile Work Environments
For an offender to feel comfortable with harassment, the workplace needs to look the other way when it happens. This creates a hostile work environment. Hostile work environments can also apply to other forms of discrimination cases. As long as the victim feels intimidation, hostility, or is subjected to offensive behavior, there may be a case.
The State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has listed several examples of hostile behavior that could qualify as sexual harassment. These include:
- Sexist and inappropriate comments
- Inappropriate touching or unwanted touching
- Standing in your way or blocking your movement
- Crude or obscene jokes
- Continuing to do these acts even after asking them to stop or bringing it up with HR
Any form of workplace communication is part of the work environment. If you receive a
harassing text, call, or email, you can still claim you’re in a hostile environment.
Quid Pro Quo Harassment
This is the classic form of sexual harassment. It is the offer or suggestion of trading sexual favors as a condition of employment. Some harassers say if you don’t comply they will inflict negative consequences for not giving in.
Accusations of “sleeping your way to the top” is definitely a hostile work environment complaint, but sometimes, people do get offers for advancement in exchange for sex. This is also quid pro quo harassment, and it’s an insidious kind that could lead to worse abuses later.
A Sexual Harassment Case We Settled
Here’s an example of sexual harassment in a case that Morelli Law Firm settled. A woman was working in a retail company and advancing in her career when she caught the attention of the CEO. He coerced her into sexual relations and continued to make advances during business trips.
When she turned him down, the CEO took retaliatory action by denying promotions, giving negative performance reviews despite meeting target goals, given extra work without an increase in salary, and denying raises and stock option benefits.
The jury awarded the woman $2.8 million in compensation for what she experienced. This is a combination of both quid pro quo harassment and a hostile work environment. As the CEO, the defendant was responsible for setting a standard of workplace behavior where this sort of thing should never happen.
Englewood Sexual Harassment Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
How Does a Sexual Harassment Lawyer Help Me?
By hiring a sexual harassment lawyer in Englewood, you have a shield between you and harassing behavior. Our team will investigate your claims and see if what happened meets the standards for liability under New Jersey law.
Some of the damages we may pursue in your case include:
- Payment for therapy or mental health treatment for what you experienced
- Lost wages while you pursue your claim
- Emotional distress from trauma or damage to your reputation
We may also seek an equity order if you wish to continue working for your old company. This is an order that tells employers you must be allowed to return to work in a non-hostile environment and have no repercussions over your return. If this order is violated, the employer can face legal consequences.
Let Our Englewood Sexual Harassment Lawyers Help You
We understand how hard it is to face sexual harassment and talk about it, but your actions could help future victims avoid harassment. It can also net you a sizable settlement. Our Englewood sexual harassment lawyers can help you build a strong sexual harassment claim.
Don’t suffer in silence. Call Morelli Law Firm for an appointment, or schedule a free case evaluation online today.