Victim of Sexual Harassment?
A Dallas Sexual Harassment Lawyer Can Help
Friends and family may often tell you not to assume a victim’s mentality. It is often not healthy to always think of ourselves as a victim of a situation. However, sometimes the circumstances are such that we can no longer blame ourselves, and we must look at others to place responsibility. Sexual harassment in the workplace is an example of one situation that requires an experienced Dallas sexual harassment attorney like the one at the Law Offices of Dan A. Atkerson.
What Is Sexual Harassment?
Sexual harassment in the workplace occurs when an employer or co-worker imposes an unwelcome verbal, nonverbal or physical gesture of a sexual type that influences the employee’s performance, job security or results in a hostile work environment. Victims may be anyone subject to unwanted advances, brusque sexual connotations or behavior that is sexual in nature.
It is unlawful to harass a person solely due to that person’s gender. Harassment can involve requests for sexual favors. However, it is not necessary that the harassment be of a sexual nature. An individual may tell a crude joke about women in general that other workers find offensive.
Victims of sexual harassment can be either women or men, and the harasser may be of either gender. Civil rights and employment laws in the United States protect men and women from sexual harassment. A Dallas sexual harassment lawyer like the one at the Law Offices of Dan A. Atkerson can advise you of federal and state laws that forbid an employer from seeking revenge against an employee who files suit.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
One example of a federal law that protects workers from sexual harassment is Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The law forbids employers from discriminating against workers based on the following:
- Their race
- Their color
- Their religion
- Their sex
- Their national origin
This law is applicable to most employers with more than 15 workers. It includes:
- Federal government
- State government
- Local government
- Labor organizations
- Employment agencies