Halunen & Associates

It is true that some employers are becoming more aware and more conscious of sexual harassment issues in the workplace. But sadly many instances of sexual harassment at work still go unpunished, ignored, or deemed irrelevant by corporations. No one should have to tolerate the hostility or humiliation of sexual harassment in the workplace, and it can be terribly frustrating to deal with an employer that refuses to address the problem. That’s why we’re here to help. At Halunen & Asssociates, our award-winning attorneys have years of experience with sexual harassment litigation, and we will be ready to aggressively tackle your case. If you have been a victim of offensive behavior, harassment, or inappropriate sexual advances at work, don’t hesitate to contact a lawyer at Halunen & Associates today.

Sexual Harassment is unwelcome verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature that is severe or pervasive and afects working conditions or creates a hostile work environment. The alleged harasser can be a supervisor, co-worker, or even a non-employee (client, vendor, service technicians, etc.). Such harassment can lead to a hostile or offensive working environment that no one should have to put up with.

Generally two types of sexual harassment occur in the workplace.

Quid-Pro-Quo Harassment - Latin for “this for that,” quid-pro-quo harassment is when an employer makes sex a prerequisite for receiving a benefit in the workplace (a raise, a promotion, job security, etc.). Sexual harassment can be claimed when an employee suffers an adverse employment action due to his/her participation/rejection of conduct of a sexual nature.
Hostile Work Environment - This occurs when an employer, supervisor, co-worker, or non-employee makes suggestive comments, unwelcome advances, or physical contact of a sexual nature in a way that makes the employee feel uncomfortable.

The conduct must be done with the purpose of, or have the effect of, violating the employee’s dignity, or of creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment for the employee.

Federal law prohibits sexual harassment in the workplace. Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, as amended by the courts in the 1970s, holds that sexual harassment is sex discrimination and is illegal. In fact, sexual harassment is often connected with sex/gender discrimination. The law makes certain that employers are responsible for preventing and stopping sexual harassment that occurs on the job.

Employers are liable if they are aware that an employee is subject to sexual harassment by employees and non-employees and fail to take timely and appropriate action(s) to protect the employee. If you feel you are being sexually harassed in your workplace, please do not hesitate to call or e-mail our offices, or fill out our contact form. We would be happy to help you evaluate your situation with a free initial consultation.

More information about sexual harassment is available on the United States Equal Employment Oppourtunity Commission website.