Sexual harassment refers to any unwelcomed comments or actions that are sexual in nature. It can manifest in the form of an inappropriate remark regarding someone’s sexual orientation or appearance or in the form of an ongoing hostile attack. Our featured sexual harassment lawyers in Kansas are here to protect your rights if you have been the victim of sexual harassment in any form.
We know this is a difficult time for you and it can be hard to come forward with the truth. However, the longer you wait, the harder it will be to provide evidence and the greater the chance that the assailant will strike again.
Contact one of our elite sexual harassment attorneys in the state to protect your rights and defend your workplace against unwanted sexual advances or behaviors.
Sexual harassment is considered a form of sexual discrimination. As defined by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), sexual harassment includes any “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitutes sexual harassment when submission to or rejection of this conduct explicitly or implicitly affects an individual’s employment, unreasonably interferes with an individual’s work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment.”
Sexual harassment can include a series of unwanted events that are relatively mild in nature, but pervasive nonetheless, or can be one single incident that was extremely severe. Regardless of the particular type of sexual harassment, the important thing to remember is that victims of sexual harassment have rights and are entitled to seek legal counsel in the state of Kansas.
There are several different kinds of behaviors that can constitute sexual harassment in Kansas. The defining factor in sexual harassment incidents is that they are unwanted and unwelcome. If you or someone you know has been the victim of any of the following, seek help right away:
• Verbal harassment: Any comments or jokes about a person’s appearance, body, sex life, or sexual orientation. It can also include repeatedly asking a person out on a date, asking for sexual favors or spreading rumors about an individual that are sexual in nature
• Non-verbal harassment: Any gestures or facial expressions that are derogatory, lewd or sexual in nature, stalking, or looking someone up and down in a sexual manner
• Visual harassment: Pictures or photos that are sexual in nature or pictures taken of another person without their consent
• Written harassment: Letters, memos or emails that are sexual in nature and offensive
• Physical harassment: Includes blocking someone’s path, inappropriate or unwanted touching (i.e. kissing, hugging, fondling, groping), assault, rape, or attempt at rape.
The victims of sexual harassment can be of any gender, age, race, ethnicity or sexual orientation. The victim and harasser can be of the same sex or may not even be directly involved. Anyone who finds the behaviors or comments of a co-worker offensive and lewd can file a sexual harassment complaint.
Sexual harassment victims have to suffer in a hostile work environment that can lead to issues with their jobs. The victim’s performance may suffer and they may begin to feel isolated, embarrassed or even afraid to come to work because of the harasser’s actions. All sexual harassment victims in Kansas are encouraged to come forward to stop the unwanted behaviors and ensure they don’t happen again or to someone else.
Victims of sexual harassment should seek legal help to ensure the unwanted behaviors cease immediately. Victims should first make sure the harasser knows that their conduct is unwelcome and if they do not stop after being told, victims may take up the matter with a supervisor or Human Resources department representative. If nothing is accomplished by elevating the matter, victims may then turn to a sexual harassment lawyer for further assistance.
Sexual harassment attorneys fight for victims’ rights and ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable for their actions and brought to justice. Sexual offenders generally don’t stop their behaviors on their own, but with the assistance of a leading sexual harassment lawyer in Kansas, the conduct will be stopped and any future sexual harassment will be prevented.
Many times, victims are afraid to come forward out of fear that the harasser will retaliate. However, it is unlawful for a person who files a sexual harassment complaint or cooperates in an investigation to have their jobs compromised. Kansas sexual harassment law states that an employer may not tamper with an employee’s job in any way. Employers must also cooperate with any investigations and ensure that matters are kept confidential.
If you were fired from your job, demoted, transferred to another position or have had your job suffer in any way due to sexual harassment, turn to a sexual harassment attorney right away to fight for your rights. Your paralegal will make sure that you get your job back as well as money damages for your pain and suffering.
Don’t wait until matters get worse to contact a top team of Kansas sexual harassment lawyers. Call an acclaimed legal representative near you today to discuss your options and file a formal complaint or lawsuit.
