Charlotte Sexual Harassment Lawyer

Everyone deserves safe and fair conditions in the workplace. Employees should never be forced to endure sexual harassment. Unfortunately, workplace harassment remains a very serious problem in North Carolina and throughout the country. Worse yet, when employees report sexual harassment, employers fail to take the complaint seriously—and sometimes even actively retaliate against the victim. 

At Strianese Huckert, LLP, our top-rated Charlotte sexual harassment lawyers have the skills, experience, and training to protect the rights of employees. If you or your loved one was sexually harassed on the job, we will help you get justice, accountability, and financial compensation for your damages. To schedule a strictly confidential, no-obligation consultation with an experienced North Carolina sexual harassment attorney, please contact our Charlotte law office today. 

What is Sexual Harassment?

There are two broad categories of sexual harassment: quid pro quo and hostile work environment. In practice, sexual harassment can come in a wide range of different forms, including unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.  Among other things, sexual harassment can include comments or “jokes” of a sexual nature, the forwarding or sharing of lewd or pornographic images, derogatory names or nicknames, requests for sexual favors, or improper touching of a sexual nature.  Courts evaluating sexual harassment claims often look to: 

• Whether submission to, or rejection of, the conduct affects the employee’s employment;
• Whether the conduct interferes with the employee’s work performance; and
• Whether the conduct creates a hostile, intimidating, or offensive work environment.

Although women are more likely to experience sexual harassment in the workplace—research estimates that women make up somewhere between 65 percent and 80 percent of sexual harassment victims—it can happen to anybody. Men also experience sexual harassment and are protected by sexual harassment laws. 

Know Your Rights: Sexual Harassment is Unlawful

Employees are protected against sexual harassment under both state and federal law. To start, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits sexual harassment. Additionally, the North Carolina Equal Employment Practices Act also provides employees with protection against sexual harassment in the workplace.

Notably, under these laws, employers have a legal responsibility to take a proactive approach in preventing sexual harassment. Companies should train their workers, take all sexual harassment complaints seriously, and treat employees fairly when they lodge a complaint. 

What to Do If You Experience Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Sexual harassment in the workplace must be taken seriously.  If you are the victim of sexual harassment, there are a number of things you can do to protect yourself.  First, you should review your employer’s handbook or grievance procedure (if it has one) to determine whether there is a complaint mechanism available to you. 

You have the right to complain about sexual harassment, both formally and informally. If you complain to your employer about sexual harassment and either nothing is done, or your employer begins to treat you badly as a result of your complaint, it may be time for you to seek counsel from an experienced employment lawyer.  It is very important to seek legal advice before resigning your employment, as resigning can have a significant impact on your legal rights.  We have litigated all kinds of sexual harassment cases in our careers. Should you have questions about your rights or options, our North Carolina sexual harassment lawyers can help. 

Sexual Harassment and Unlawful Retaliation

You have the right to report sexual harassment to your employer without facing any type of retribution. Whether you are lodging a complaint against a co-worker, a customer, a supervisor, or even a high-level corporate executive, your employer has a legal obligation to accept your complaint and address it in a fair, diligent manner. 

Sadly, many employees face illegal retaliation after reporting sexual harassment. Alarmingly, the Task Force on Harassment in the Workplace found that more than seven in ten workers who reported harassment faced some form of retaliation from their employer. This is illegal. If you faced any type of adverse employment action after complaining of or reporting sexual harassment, it is imperative that you call an experienced Charlotte, NC employment attorney right away. 

Call Our Charlotte, NC Sexual Harassment Attorneys Today

At Strianese Huckert, LLP, our North Carolina sexual harassment lawyers are committed to providing effective, client-focused legal representation to employees. If you’ve been a victim of sexual harassment in the workplace, we encourage you to contact us today for a strictly confidential initial consultation. With a law office in Charlotte, we represent employees throughout North Carolina, including in Mecklenburg County, Gaston County, Union County, and Cabarrus County.