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Indiana Sexual Harassment Lawyers
Sexual harassment on the job is a problem for both men and women to varying degrees. According to the EEOC’s website, the EEOC received 12,025 charges of sexual harassment in 2006. Of those charges, 15.4% were filed by males. But these are just charges. More disturbing is the product of some surveys, which have estimated the percentage of women being sexually harassed in the U.S. workplace at somewhere between 40% and 60%.
Contact an Indiana Sexual Harassment Lawyer today at 888.318.3761 to schedule a free initial consultation.
According to the EEOC, sexual harassment involves any “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature” (29 C.F.R Part 1604.11, 2006). This includes instances of Internet pornography, dirty jokes, inappropriate physical touching and sexual favors in exchange for job benefits or promotions. When an employee’s job is contingent on sexual favors, or employee/employer behavior creates a hostile working environment for other employees, there may be cause to file an Indiana sexual harassment lawsuit.
To bring an Indiana sexual harassment lawsuit, a plaintiff must set forth certain essential facts which, taken together, constitute sexual harassment under the Title VII statute of the Civil Rights Act. These factual elements are what a plaintiff must prove to make a "prima facie case.” Since most supervisors are too savvy to confess to their reasons for harassing an employee, the plaintiff must often use a combination of direct and circumstantial evidence to show the court that he or she has suffered some adverse employment action and that his or her employer took its action on the basis of sex. An experienced attorney can help you better understand Indiana sexual harassment laws and further explain what factual elements must be in place to pursue a sexual harassment lawsuit against your employer.
Since the passage of the Civil Rights of 1991, Title VII punishment for sexual harassment now allows sexual harassment victims to collect from their employers not only back pay, lost wages and, if they had been fired or forced to leave, to be reinstated in their jobs, but also compensatory and punitive damages in a jury trial on those matters. These damages can encompass emotional pain, suffering, inconvenience, mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life.
There is a lot of law surrounding sexual harassment and just the volume of information on the subject alone can lead to confusion for employee's who have been sexually harassed. In this article, we've barely scratched the surface on the topic. Whether the case is an "easy" one or a "hard" one depends on the availability of proof. If you believe you have been the victim of sexual harassment, you should contact your local EEOC office or an attorney. An experienced sexual harassment lawyer should be able to help you better understand the specific laws that apply to your situation and help you gather the evidence you need to pursue an Indiana sexual harassment lawsuit.
The deadlines for bringing a claim with the EEOC are very short, as short as 180 days from the time the employee learns of the discrimination in some states (300 days in Indiana). Thus, to preserve your right to legal recovery, it is necessary to act fast. If you’re unsure whether your case merits legal action, you should consult with the EEOC or a private attorney immediately.
The attorneys at the Hollingsworth, Sever, Storey & Zivitz, P.C. Firm know just how damaging sexual harassment on the job can be. Victims often feel isolated with no place to turn for help, especially when it is management itself that’s creating a hostile working environment. The attorneys at the Hollingsworth, Sever, Storey & Zivitz, P.C. Firm are dedicated to helping sexual harassment victims receive justice. With over 20 years of experience representing victims in high conflict litigation, our attorneys have a proven track record of success getting our clients the recovery they deserve. We never shy away from difficult cases; we embrace them. To discuss your case with an Indiana sexual harassment lawyer, call 317-575-9942 today. You have a right to feel safe and to work in a harassment-free environment.
The Hollingsworth, Sever, Storey & Zivitz, P.C. Firm serves clients in the greater Indianapolis area, including Carmel, Fishers, Zionsville, Noblesville, Kokomo and Hamilton County.