Having a great job and career path is vitally important to how we make our way through the world. Our ability to provide for ourselves and our family, as well as key benefits like health insurance, are directly tied to our employment and to the money we make at work. Being able to own a nice house, have enough food on the table and enjoy a fun vacation each year all come down to being able to make a living working.
Unfortunately, if you work in a hostile environment where you experience sexual harassment, your career dreams can quickly become a nightmare. In general, sexual harassment includes sexual advances that are unwelcome, requests seeking sexual favors or other physical or verbal behavior that creates a work environment that is offensive or hostile in nature. If you are experiencing sexual harassment on the job, you need to talk to Didlaw workplace sexual harassment lawyers.
Seeking Legal Advice Before Reporting Sexual harassment
If you have been subject to sexual harassment in the workplace, there are certain steps you may need to take to assure that your rights are protected. In some instances, you may be required by the employer or applicable law to report the potential harassment to your Human Resources department or company managers.
A skilled employment lawyer can help you determine who to report the harassment to, and can also help you prepare and outline a description of the harassment you experienced.
Protecting Yourself Against Continuing Harassment
The employment attorney that you consult can also offer important advice on how you can protect yourself from any continued sexual harassment. It’s important to make note of and document any future harassment and any and all discussions of it you have with your employer.
Sexual assault attorneys can also help prepare and advise you on dealing with the harasser if that behavior continues and can also specify how you should report future incidents. They’ll also be able to keep watch on your employer’s response to your complaint, and help protect you against retaliation.
Laws and Regulators That Govern Sexual Harassment in the UK
Under the Worker Protection Act of 2024, beginning on 26th October or 2024 employers will now have the duty to take reasonable steps to prevent the sexual harassment of employees. If they fail to take these measures, employees who have been harassed sexually may be entitled to an additional compensation uplift from employers of up to 25 percent.
In England, Wales and Scotland, the EHRC regulates equality law. It’s recommended that you inform them in the event you had the experience of sexual harassment in the workplace, even if you have or are entering a settlement with your employer. The EHRC may take action against the employer, or may even opt to fund litigation for you.
If you have experienced instances of sexual harassment in your workplace, it’s advisable to consult with an employment lawyer early in the process. They can offer important advice about reporting the harassment to your employer, responding to any continued harassment and filing complaints with the appropriate regulators.