If you are a business owner in the US today, then you are probably aware of the excitement and fulfillment that can accompany such a venture when it is thriving, and you probably always hope to avoid major workplace lawsuits. No matter what industry you work in though and no matter how well things are going, the list of challenges to be met daily is probably quite long, from handling the finances to pleasing customers and fulfilling orders. Managing your team can be a tremendous task too. Most businesses are only as good as their employees, and an enormous amount of thought and protocol must go into supervising the team—as well as keeping everyone happy.
Much more emphasis is placed not only on treating everyone equally in the workplace, but avoiding issues like sexual harassment as well. And while such problems in the office can easily lead to a lawsuit, with education and guidance you may be able to prevent such behavior and avert legal trouble too. Statistics regarding sexual harassment at work are still surprisingly high today, despite the massive strides that women have made in the workforce since the 50s and 60s.
While sexual harassment can affect both sexes (and not just in the workplace), according to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), up to one in four women may still be experiencing such problems in the workplace—and are often reluctant to report it. Helping your staff get educated about what is and what is not acceptable may not only be extremely enlightening for everyone, but could save you a lot of headaches later.
Unfortunately, sexual harassment comes in many forms—all unacceptable at the office—or anywhere else. While many of us may only associate sexual harassment with physical contact, verbal harassment can be extremely common. Explicit jokes, verbal advances, comments about others or their bodies, obscene language, and more, can all can be considered sexual harassment. Employers may be held responsible for such actions if they occur in the workplace, so it is crucial to crack down on any type of behavior, and make sure that everyone understands what sexual harassment is and that it will not be tolerated.
Even overtly sexual materials in the office can be considered harassment. Outright physical contact as well as threatening behavior is more obvious sexual harassment but still all too common too. One of the most classic types of harassment in the office is for someone to feel as if they will lose their job position if they do not give into the aggressor, and it should be made clear that type of behavior will not be accepted, and then no one should have to worry about losing their job due to such bullying.
Having a program in place is very important for you as an employer. The educational aspect is critical, but with a program in place, your liability is greatly reduced for being sued if one employee harasses another. If such a lawsuit does seem to be impending or already in action, contact an experienced business litigation attorney like Shane Coons.
Do you need help with a legal issue regarding the workplace? Call Shane Coons now at 949-333-0900 or email us at Shane.Coons@seclawoffices.com. We can review your case, answer your questions, and help you decide how to move forward. We are here to help!