Harassment occurs through words, conduct or actions that appear to serve no legitimate purpose but to irritate, alarm,
or cause emotional distress for the recipient. A large amount of focus has been placed on sexual harassment, especially in
the workplace. With more awareness, harassment of all levels can hopefully be stopped. Many people that are victims of harassment
often feel trapped or unsure of what they can do to get out of the circumstances.
Harassment can be against a woman or a man and the victim is not always of the opposite sex. It can also be considered
harassment if the person is not the intended victim but is affected in any way by the offensive conduct. The conduct must
be unwelcome to be considered harassment.
If the threatened individual(s) notify the harasser to stop the conduct and it is not stopped, the victim should take the
next step in putting an end to the harassment. At the workplace, the victim should submit an employer complaint about the
harassment, or any other policy method that is available.
Please be advise the employer may not be on your side and may actually be working agaist you.
Contact us before you take any action!
We are are on your side and we provide sound advise and consultation. We also provide a sound witness service to fight
your harassment. We will review the entire record of the alleged harassment, including the circumstances surrounding
the offensive conduct. Harassment is often about power, control, and intimidation. In a 1993 Supreme Court Decision, it was
determined that a plaintiff alleging sexual harassment does not need to demonstrate concrete psychological harm, rather show
the conduct created a sufficient evidence of hostile or abusive working environment.
In 1999, the Supreme Court ruled that employers are "vicariously liable" for harassment by supervisors. It was also noted
that if the harassment did not result in a tangible job action, the employer could raise an affirmative defense that it exercised
"reasonable care" to prevent and correct the harassment and the employee unreasonably failed to use its complaint procedure.
For many workers, harassment allegations can be a very difficult complaint to bring up, especially if it is against a supervisor.
Individuals may fear their position at the company will be threatened and fear humiliation that may arise from harassment
cases. Workplaces should try to prevent instances of harassment from occurring by stressing the disapproval of inappropriate
behavior and notifying employees of their rights should instances of harassment occur.
Even if the harassment complaints appear to be looked into by the employer or place of which the complaints were directed,
it is best to make sure procedures and policies are being followed and that the victim avoids further detriment. It is important
for harassment victims to realize they have nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about. Support groups and counselors exist
for harassment victims.
