Why You Need a Sexual Harassment Attorney

What do you do when you are at work, and someone makes an inappropriate comment to you? What happens when your boss asks you on a date and gets angry when you say no? Do you report these things? What if you are threatened with retaliation?Should you speak to a lawyer?

Consulting with experienced employment discrimination attorneys like the ones at Leeds Brown Law, P.C. can be helpful when you are facing sexual harassment in your workplace. Having professionals available to help guide you through the legal issues, lay out some options, and advocate for your best interests can ease much of the stress and anxiety that workplace discrimination can cause. When you first suspect your employer or co-workers are violating your employment rights, let us know.

So Many Unanswered Questions – Lawyers can Help

When you are at the receiving end of inappropriate behavior in the workplace, you are likely to have many questions. Sex discrimination lawyers at Leeds Brown, P.C. can help answer them and provide you with a framework in which to process the important issues.

You may be wondering:

Is this conduct illegal or just annoying?

How does the law define sexual harassment?

How should I respond to the person harassing me?

Should I report it? How? To whom?

Can I protect myself from more harassment?

What if I am punished or experience retaliation?

Leeds Brown has legal professionals who file claims for clients in New York City, Long Island, Westchester, and the entire NY metro area. We can provide you with guidance and advocacy specific to your sexual harassment claim. We can assist you in understanding what options you have and what your rights are.

Sexual Harassment Attorneys Understand Employment Laws and Procedures

Laws are complicated. Are you aware that there is more than one law that makes sexual harassment in the workplace illegal? There is a federal law called the Civil Rights Act of 1964, specifically Title VII, that prohibits employment discrimination based on sex, which includes sexual harassment. There is also a state law called New York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL) that also protect your rights. Which laws cover your case? Which laws provide the best opportunity for success with your set of facts? Does it matter? It might – and having a solid legal team helping you make this determination can be crucial to the success of your case.

There are times that before initiating a civil lawsuit for sexual harassment in the workplace you must file an administrative charge with the appropriate agency. Do you file with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the New York State Division of Human Rights (NYSDHR), or The New York City Commission on Human Rights (NYCCHR)? Both agencies enforce employment discrimination laws, but there are important differences between the two. We can ensure that you follow the proper procedures and file your claim promptly with the correct agency that will provide you with the best chance of success. Failing to do so can prevent you from recovering the remedies to which you may be entitled.

Reporting and Investigating Sexual Harassment/Retaliation

One of the significant benefits to having lawyers advising you when you become a victim of sexual harassment and employment discrimination is that we can help you formulate a plan. You may decide to report the problem, and your employer may have a policy that requires you to do so in a very specific way. If you don’t follow the policy, you may put your rights in jeopardy. Once you do report it, we can take steps to help you document and preserve evidence of your employer’s response. In any legal matter, the evidence is crucial, and in sexual harassment cases, evidence of retaliation may be stronger than that of the underlying conduct. If you notify your employer of harassmentthey are obligated to take steps to investigate your claims.Sexual Harassment Attorneys can help monitor this process to make sure employers are addressing your claims appropriately. If they are not, Leeds Brown Law, P.C. will respond to your needs.

Many times, rather than conducting a thorough investigation, employers punish the employee. If you are demoted, fired, transferred, physically or verbally abused or forced to quit after you report harassment, this may create a new and even stronger claim for you, retaliation.. Lawyers can help you recognize this type of unlawful behavior and help you establish  a strong retaliation case.

What are Your Remedies?

Attorneys at Leeds Brown Law can also help you understand what remedies you may be entitled to receive under different laws which are relevant when you are determining a course of action. For instance, under Title VII, an employee who is successful with a sexual harassment case may be able to recover economic damages such as back pay and front pay, compensatory damages for emotional distress, punitive damages and attorney’s fees.

Contact Us

When you are the victim of sexual harassment, it can be an emotional time. The abuse whether verbal or physical can result in anxiety and depression. The added pressure of your job can make things much worse. You may be afraid to speak up for fear of retaliation and can’t afford to lose your paycheck. You don’t have to endure this alone.

By speaking with employment law attorneys at Leeds Brown Law, you will receive hands-on, high-quality representation from professionals who care. We take pride in our work, and it shows in our results. Call us today for a free case evaluation and find out if we can help you pursue a sexual harassment claim against your employer. We are available 24/7 at 1-800-585-4658. We Believe You.