Facing sexual harassment in the office is very common, but very few victims report it. Any harassment at the workplace should not be tolerated and should be reported to higher management. It is every employee’s right to have self-dignity and feel safe at the workplace.
Keeping Silent After Facing Harassment Can Make Things Worse
Many people keep quiet and don’t report incidents of harassment. After they are harassed, they may simply leave their job and move on. It is essential to know that if we spare people who commit such obscene crimes, they can go on to cause more suffering to others.
Talking to a reputed harassment attorney in San Antonio can help you handle all types of harassment-related cases. An attorney will know the appropriate steps to take. If needed, they will stand by your side, take legal actions, and seek compensation for all the loss and damages.
Knowing your legal rights will give you the ability to relax. An attorney’s in-depth knowledge of the law allows them to make the best decisions in your favor and fight for your rights.
What If You Fail To Report The Harassment?
What happens after harassment occurs can vary depending on the offender. Many times, when the victim does not report a case of harassment, it encourages the offender to repeat their obscene behavior with other people.
If you faced sexual harassment and did not report it, you may face some of the following consequences:
- Hostile environment: The offender can make the workplace feel like a hostile environment all the time. They might make inappropriate jokes to make you uncomfortable, and you may have to face consistent indecency and insinuations.
- Direct sexual advances: If the offender continues to harass you, they might make direct sexual advances. This could involve touching, groping, and even rape.
- Quid pro quo offers: You may get explicit or implied offers of rewards if you succumb to the harasser’s demands.
Sexual harassment cases cause a lot of emotional, mental, and psychological impacts. The victim can feel disturbed for months and even years. This harassment might be done by your boss, colleague, or any other staff. As per law, it is the employer’s responsibility to keep everyone safe. An employer must train their employees to behave professionally and maintain decorum in the office.
Forms of Harassment in the Workplace
Each one of us has legal rights, and we should never fall victim to any misconduct in the office. You can file an injury claim, sue the harasser, and seek compensation for the loss, damages, pain, and suffering it caused you.
The number of harassment cases reported in the United States is an eye-opener, so it is important to know what to do after facing harassment.
Here are three types of workplace harassment that everyone should be aware of.
- Physical
- Verbal
- Visual
Regardless of the type of harassment, you have every right to file a complaint against the offender and must not hesitate in doing so. It is essential to understand that keeping harassment a secret is the worst thing one can do.
You can complain to the HR department, your boss, or directly to the employer. Other reasonable steps to take include writing a complaint letter to a local government authority or filing a claim with the help of an attorney.
Wage Theft Is A Significant Issue
Many employers try to harass their employees by forcing them to earn long hours almost every day. This is both unethical and illegal, and the person who breaks the related law should face legal charges for harassment. An employer cannot force people to work beyond office hours without paying them for their extra hard work. Employment laws intend to give every person a chance to balance their personal and professional life.
In many industries such as chemical and construction, it is discovered that workers who work 10 hours every day are only being paid for 8 hours of work. The employer intentionally fails to calculate the extra 2 hours of work, which is entirely unethical. An attorney can find the errors in their wage calculations and sue them. In addition, the employer can face a hefty fine, lose their license, or suffer other severe consequences.
Wage theft occurs in different ways. In some cases, an employer will take multiple steps to cover or hide evidence of the extra hours worked. They may report a lesser or incorrect number of hours. Many contractors are caught doing this unethical practice.
Whether you’ve faced sexual harassment, wage theft, or any other kind of harassment in the workplace, you can contact us today to book a free legal consultation with our experienced attorney. We’ll review your case and help you take the necessary steps to protect yourself and get the justice you deserve.