How to Report Sexual Harassment by a Co-Worker?

Workplace sexual harassment is a problem prevalent all over the country. This is the reason why most employers have internal systems through which such incidents are reported and investigated. If you are a victim of sexual harassment or discrimination in the workplace, it is important to understand and protect your rights and if New York sexual harassment lawyers have to get involved then so be it.

It would be prudent to seek legal counsel before you report the incident to management even if you do not want to pursue a sexual harassment lawsuit. Here are a few steps that you ought to take to report such incidents to your employer.

Study the Handbook

Company or organizational rules and regulations to battle sexual harassment in its premises are detailed in the employee handbook. Make sure to study these regulations carefully. The names of the persons to whom you can report the incident are listed in the handbook. Usually, department heads, supervisors, managers, and the Human Resource department can be contacted in the event of harassment. If you are do wish to consult with a New York sexual harassment attorney then it would be prudent to handover a copy of the handbook.

If you have to print it out, then do so.

If you need legal help of this kind you need to right here: Sexual-Harassment.USAttorneys. Give us a call. We will refer you to a lawyer in your area and someone who can help you right this ship. You should not have to deal with this and immature people need to be put in their place.

Try to Identify a Person to Report

The decision to report incidents of sexual harassment is not an easy one especially when a co-worker is your harasser or if he is the president of the country. Apart from the embarrassment, you might suffer from a fear of retaliation. You are also faced with a dilemma when the employee policy asks you to report the incident to someone who is in reality your harasser. Therefore, you must find someone who is not involved with the harassment. A manager or a human resource head is best equipped to handle these types of situations.

Report the Harassment in a Face to Face Meeting

Your legal representative will probably advise you to report the incident to management in a face to face meeting. It may be wise to refrain from sending emails or letters. But you should write everything down including the date and time so you can reference and give this to your legal counselor so they know exactly what happened and what has been going on as well. If you read the Dean Koontz book Lightning you will know that sexual harassment can occur repeatedly and not just happen to adults as well. 

Register your complaint in person and provide details of the incident and answer all the questions that the employer has. Your employer must be made to witness your distraught condition after the incident. If you convey your emotions appropriately the employer will have to take steps to stop the harassment.

Report the Incident in Writing

After the conclusion of the meeting provide your employer with a written complaint to the concerned department and keep a copy of the report. In addition, request your employer to keep another copy in the employee personnel file and attach a copy of the complaint in an email to the management.

Give Details to the Incident

Speak to your New York sexual harassment lawyer for assistance on how you should report the incident. You must not make a general statement but a detailed report with the date and time of the incident and how the incident happened. If you have evidence to confirm your story provide them to the management as proof. You must not misrepresent facts or lie as you can be sued by the employee in a defamation case.

Follow Up with Your Employer after you have Reported the Incident

After an incident is reported the employer is legally obligated to investigate. Most employers keep the complainant in the loop and often ask the victim to participate in the investigation. If you are asked to stay away from the investigation tell the management that you want to be involved and ask them to provide updates via emails and letters.

If your employer does not do anything to prevent the sexual harassment or retaliates against you, then you can have every right to sue your employer. Just make sure to consult a New York sexual harassment lawyer to protect your rights. This legal representative will know the law much better than the New York Knicks know how to play basketball as well.