Unfortunately, many people experience sexual harassment in New Jersey on a regular basis. From work to school, sexual harassment can happen anywhere. Victims of sexual harassment may struggle to carry on with their normal activities due to stress, shame or fear. Read on to learn what you can do to protect your rights if you’re a victim of sexual harassment.
What is sexual harassment?
In the workplace, sexual harassment can occur whenever someone you work with makes unwanted sexual advances or acts inappropriately in a way that interferes with your ability to perform job duties. Examples of sexual harassment in the workplace could include:
- Saying negative things about people of a specific gender or sexual orientation
- Making inappropriate or offensive comments about a person’s appearance
- Asking for sexual favors
- Making offensive jokes of a sexual nature
What can you do if you experience workplace sexual harassment?
If you’re being harassed in the workplace, you have several rights and legal options to protect yourself. First, write down the details of every incident, including who harassed you and when it happened. If you feel that it’s safe to communicate to the offender, let them know that you find their behavior to be inappropriate and offensive. If the harassment continues, speak to a trusted supervisor or to someone from Human Resources. Take notes about all conversations you have.
If your efforts fail to provide you with the results you’re looking for, consider speaking to an experienced attorney. Sexual harassment is illegal in every state, and you should never have to work in an environment that makes you feel unsafe or discriminated against. An attorney may be able to explain your rights and help you take the next steps necessary to resolve the issue.
