Minnesota-Based Employment Lawyers Fighting for Employees Who Have Been Sexually Harassed
Sexual harassment includes any unwelcome sexual comments, sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature. It also includes unwanted physical contact. Examples of sexual harassment include:
- Offensive joking, comments, emails, or other unwelcome communications
- Non-verbal communication, like staring or suggestive facial, body, or hand gestures
- Inappropriate text messages or emails, including sending explicit images
- Unwanted sexual advances, touching, groping
- Rape
- Discounting or ignoring reports of misconduct to management
- Retaliation or wrongful termination for making a report or voicing a concern about sexual harassment
- Work retaliation or harassment based on the termination of a sexual relationship
- Offers of a job, promotion, or favorable treatment in exchange for sexual acts (quid pro quo harassment)
Sexual harassment is not limited to interactions between members of different genders (e.g., a male boss harassing a female subordinate). Additionally, sexual harassment is not limited to a physical workplace, but can also occur during virtual meetings, through texting or calls, during business travel, or at work-related events. Finally, sexual harassment doesn’t have to come from the employee’s supervisor; it can come from management and non-management level employees, clients, or customers.
If you think you may be a victim of workplace sexual harassment, contact Halunen Law. Our intake specialist will listen to your concerns about what occurred and, if appropriate, will refer you to an attorney for a free and confidential consultation.
Standing Up Against Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
If you have been the target of workplace sexual harassment, you will likely feel violated, isolated, and depressed. You may also be afraid to report it due to potential retaliation, but every employee is entitled to feel safe in the workplace and to work in an environment free of the disruption caused by harassment.
If you have had any of these experiences, you do not need to deal with it alone. The employment attorneys in our Minneapolis law firm know the state and federal laws that protect you from sexual harassment in the workplace. They will guide you through the legal process and fight for your rights when they have been violated. We are determined to hold employers accountable and are here to help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.
Minnesota state and federal laws – and our lawyers – seek to protect employees against sexual harassment and related wrongful termination or retaliation.
What Are Examples of Workplace Sexual Harassment?
Our female client was hired as a personal assistant to a male boss. He promised to “teach her the ropes” of his business and assured her that once she completed her “training,” she would be promoted. Instead, he spent the next several months grooming her – giving her money, buying her gifts, etc. – and eventually began sending sexually explicit texts and making advances to her in the office as she tried to do her job. When the client objected and refused these unwanted advances, she was fired. Through aggressive negotiations, a six-figure settlement was reached without filing a lawsuit or going to court.
Halunen Law has litigated more subtle conduct as constituting workplace sexual harassment. Comments about an employee’s clothing and appearance, questions about an employee’s dating life, flirting, and sexual jokes can create a hostile work environment, whether by co-workers, supervisors or executives. When this conduct interferes with an employee’s ability to do their job, workplace harassment has occurred.
How Can I Protect Myself From Sexual Harassment and Assault?
The first step you can take against sexual advances of any type is to firmly tell the harasser to stop, and then report the conduct through appropriate work channels. If the conduct continues, contact our lawyers who specialize in sexual harassment cases that occur in the workplace. With legal guidance, you can determine the specific scope and impact of the harassment and take legal action to remedy the adverse effects you have experienced, which may include emotional distress, retaliation and wrongful termination.
What Is Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment?
Quid pro quo sexual harassment occurs when a harasser who is a manager or boss takes advantage of their power in the workplace to demand sexual attention or favors from an employee they manage. A manager might ask for sexual favors or a dating relationship in exchange for a promotion or raise. Or, it could be more subtle, like a manager mentioning an advancement opportunity to an employee while asking him or her out to dinner. Often, when the sexual advances or dates are declined, the harasser will retaliate by taking away the promotion or raise, or even terminating the employee. Quid pro quo sexual harassment is illegal under Minnesota and federal law. If this has happened to you, contact Halunen Law immediately.
Experienced Workplace Sexual Harassment Attorneys in Minnesota
Our lawyers who fight for victims of sexual harassment at work are experienced in dealing with work-related sexual harassment and assault as well as other difficult employment matters. Our sexual harassment attorneys can provide the advocacy you need to protect yourself and preserve your right to work in a safe environment.