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Sexual Harassment

Charleston Sexual Harassment Attorney

Upholding Your Rights Throughout Clarksburg, Fairmont, Morgantown and Throughout West Virginia

Every employee has the right to work in a safe environment. No one should have to tolerate any type of sexual harassment, whether it is done openly or out of the presence of others. 

If you have been subjected to unprofessional actions or attitudes that have caused you embarrassment or uneasiness, your employment rights are being violated.

Turn to a legal team that focuses on holding violators of the law accountable. At Rod Smith Law PLLC, we are committed to helping victims of mistreatment and sexual harassment in the workplace. 

Let our legal team defend your rights.

Contact our Charleston sexual harassment attorneys at Rod Smith Law for a free consultation about your case. Call (304) 406-7076 or contact us online.

What Constitutes Sexual Harassment?

Sexual harassment can take many forms. It can come from co-workers, supervisors, managers, and others in the workplace. Employees may be harassed by members of the opposite sex as well as members of their own sex. These behaviors can interfere with the harassed employee’s work performance and can make the workplace intimidating, offensive, and hostile.

Sexual harassment behaviors can include any unwanted physical or verbal actions such as:

  • Sexual advances
  • Requests for sexual favors
  • Crude sexual remarks
  • Inappropriate texts, emails, or videos
  • Inappropriate touching or brushing up against a person
  • Lewd jokes
  • Sexual innuendos
  • Comments about a person’s body
  • Sexually suggestive photos, language, cartoons, or other material
  • Sexist company policies that discriminate, such as denying promotions or raises due to gender
  • Direct or implied threats or bribes for sexual activity, also known as Quid Pro Quo harassment

What Are Two Common Types of Sexual Harassment?

There are two common types of sexual harassment that occur in a employee’s workplace:

  • Quid pro quo harassment
  • Hostile work environment

Harassment resulting in a hostile work environment occurs when an employee is facing constant sexual joking, innuendos, or inappropriate behaviors even after it has been asked to stop. This type of behavior has negative effects on job performance.

Our sexual harassment lawyers in Charleston and Morgantown are here to help defend your rights in your workplace. Contact Rod Smith Law PLLC for a free consultation about your case. Be sure to check out our sexual harassment checklist to better prepare you for your case.

Learn more about the types of sexual harassment by reading our blog!

What is Quid Pro Quo? 

Quid pro quo, which is Latin for "something for something," refers to an exchange of goods, services, or favors in which one transfer is contingent upon the other. Quid pro quo sexual harassment occurs when a person in a position of authority, such as a supervisor or manager, seeks sexual favors from an employee in exchange for job benefits, promotions, raises, or other favorable treatment in the workplace. This type of harassment is often linked to employment benefits and can create a hostile work environment for the affected individuals. Quid pro quo harassment is illegal under state and federal law.

Defense Against Retaliation in Sexual Harassment Cases

We understand that you may feel too intimidated to stand up for your rights or that your harasser or employer may retaliate against you if you try to make it stop. However, sexual harassment should not be tolerated in the workplace and you are protected.

Any form of retaliation against you for making a claim of sexual harassment is unlawful. Such adverse actions can include your employer treating you differently, scheduling you to work alongside the harasser, not immediately investigating your complaints, a reduction in your pay, or termination.

If your claim is successful, you may be awarded lost wages, punitive damages, and human loss type damages such as emotional distress, embarrassment, and loss of indignity.

Don't Wait to Get Help With Your Case Today

If you have been subjected to sexual harassment in the workplace, Rod Smith Law PLLC is ready to protect you. We have helped many West Virginia employees hold their employers accountable and recover compensation. Specific time limits apply for sexual harassment claims, so speak with one of our sexual harassment attorneys in Charleston and Morgantown as early as possible.

Contact our Charleston sexual harassment lawyers today at (304) 406-7076 for a free consultation. Don’t let employers keep behaving this way.

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