Sexual harassment within the workplace is a far more frequent occurrence than most people think. Sexual harassment is a violation of both federal and state law. The Rhode Island Human Rights Commission for Human Rights defines sexual harassment as “a form of discrimination that occurs when an individual makes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and/or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature against his or her wishes.” The lawyers at d’Oliveira & Associates can help you if you feel you have been a victim of sexual harassment.
There are two types of legally recognized sexual harassment, quid pro quo and hostile work environment. Quid pro quo is a latin term meaning “something for something”. Quid pro quo sexual harassment means that an individual's compliance with or rejection of sexual conduct is used as the basis for employment decisions or such conduct is made a condition of employment. For example, if a sexual advance is made and an employee rejects the advance and is then fired, this is quid pro quo sexual harassment. Hostile work environment sexual harassment means that conduct is severe enough that it alters the conditions of the victim’s employment and creates an abusive working environment. An example of hostile work environment is an employee’s boss making comments everyday that are so pervasive and unwelcome that it alters the conditions of employment.
There is a time limit for filing sexual harassment claims. If you have been sexually harassed, contact a lawyer at d’Oliveira & Associates.
Please contact the law offices of d'Oliveira & Associates at 1-800-992-6878 or fill out a contact form for a free legal consultation.
Facts About Sexual Harassment
http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/fs-sex.html