Survey results show that approximately 40% of women experience sexual harassment, and only a small number report it. And the women who do report it face retaliation from their offender. Despite the MeToo movement, there is still no precise and clear advice for women who go through it.
Usually, when women decide upon what to do to be treated with respect, they have to think about their financial status and careers first. If you are experiencing sexual harassment, you can consult sexual harassment lawyers Kansas city for advice. This article discusses the measures you should take to make an informed and wise decision.
1) Document and keep a record of everything
Quid pro quo harassment is illegal under federal law. It is a type of harassment where the employee’s job and promotion depend upon a sexual favor. It also includes a hostile environment where unwanted behavior such as unwanted physical contact affects the employee’s work. So if you are going through this, you should document this by
· Writing down the time, date, and location where it happened, what happened, who was involved, who witnessed it.
· Share with a trusted friend, colleague, or family member
· Taking screenshots of the pictures, texts, emails, posts relevant to this
· Keep a record of your work performance and productivity
· You can secretly record conversations and videos if your state or company laws allow it.
· Store all this somewhere safe and ensure it has a backup.
2) Evaluate your thoughts and the situation
When you are thinking about what to do if you’re sexually harassed, ask yourself some important questions.
· What do you want out of it? Do you want to get your offender held accountable? Or do you want to stop the harassment?
· What is your company’s policy? Do they take sexual harassment seriously? Your company’s policy regarding harassment will tell you what you are supposed to do if you face harassment and the guidelines to follow. If your company takes sexual harassment seriously, only then will your complaint be taken seriously, and you will get what you want.
· Does your job contract contain a nondisclosure agreement? If it does, then you may face legal action if you criticize the company.
· What kind of support do you have? Do you have enough resources that you will be unaffected by the loss of a job? Do you have friends, colleagues, and family members backing you up?
3) Take action
After finding the answers to the above question, you have to trust yourself and make a wise decision. Here are some things you can do.
· Keep quiet but still document everything if you feel like you will not handle the retaliation.
· Confront your harasser and tell them to stop. Ensure that you are clear about the boundaries and that they know it’s making you uncomfortable.
· Get support and support from people you may think have been harassed so that it is easier to come forward. The majority is likely to have a big impact and thus make your case stronger.
· Consult with a lawyer even if you do not want to file a lawsuit. They are knowledgeable and experienced and will give you better advice and options.
Conclusion
If you are experiencing sexual harassment, you must follow the above-mentioned measures to protect yourself and your rights. Consult with an experienced lawyer and stand up for your rights.
