Workplace sexual harassment has gained significant attention in the media over this past year with the #MeToo movement and other initiatives. This is a positive advancement that has allowed more victims to come forward and fight for justice.
A New Era for Workplace Sexual Harassment Victims
New White Paper: Fighting Workplace Harassment
Is your employer following the EEOC's four harassment checklists?
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has always been dedicated to opening opportunities so there is fairness and equity - equal opportunity - in the workplace for everyone.
Zillow settles sexual harassment suits against supervisors
When an established company is hit with a long string of gender discrimination and harassment lawsuits by current and former female employees, and settles the cases for a substantial sum, it is time for the culture of the company to be studied, purged and re-formulated into an ethical business operation. The online real estate agency, Zillow, has been on the receiving end of numerous sexual harassment lawsuits filed in 2014, apparently in federal courts located in California. The complaints generally all claimed that there was an environment of sexual harassment of women employees and agents in the company's Irvine sales office.
Sexual harassment of housekeepers brings $1 million settlement
Some employers have not learned that they must take sexual harassment claims by employees seriously. In California and all other states, an employer must immediately see to it that there is no possibility of the charges being repeated, even if that means transferring the accused supervisor to another department or location. The employing company must also must quickly make a thorough and objective investigation to determine whether sexual harassment did occur.
Employer must act decisively on sexual harassment complaint
Sexual harassment of an employee is prohibited by federal and state anti-discrimination laws. It can include unwelcome sexual advances, trying to trade job enhancement or promotions for sex or the creation of a hostile environment that makes the employee's job generally unbearable. Sexual harassment in California and all other states will not exist by mere teasing or offhand comments made in isolated instances; instead, the violation requires a set pattern of pervasive taunting, harassing, insulting or other repetitive hostile behavior so as to create an intolerable and offensive environment for the victim .
Dealing with sexual harassment is difficult for women in science
A recent scandal at the University of California-Berkeley may have exposed the issue of sexual harassment in academia, especially in the sciences, for many people. An astronomy professor was not fired after it came to light that he routinely harassed and sexually assaulted female students for years. He did eventually resign, but many observers criticized UC Berkeley’s administration for not doing more than issuing him a warning.
Ex-domestic worker sues CA tech execs for sexual harassment
One does not have to work in an office, store, warehouse, factory or other traditional workplace to be subject to sexual harassment. Domestic workers may have a harder time fending off harassment, because there may be nobody besides the harasser to report the behavior to.
Steps to take before suing your employer for sexual harassment
For most people being victimized by sexual harassment at work, the prospect of suing their employer can seem frightening and difficult. While litigation might eventually be necessary, much of the time the problem can be solved without things going so far. Indeed, many employers are eager to stop sexual harassers among their executives and managers, because they fear potential litigation.