Wisconsin Sexual Harassment Lawyers
Your work situation may seem unbearable for personal reasons. Romantic or sexual relationships in the workplace are common, yet they can complicate one’s employment in a wide variety of ways. The remedies and options you might have available to you, however, will be greater if you do not terminate your employment now.
Contact a Milwaukee sexual harassment lawyer online today. You may also call our firm directly to discuss your situation or to schedule a confidential initial consultation.
Do Not Tolerate Harassment In The Workplace
A supervisor may request sexual favors in exchange for a raise, promotion or other benefit. More common, however, is a consensual relationship. It is the ending of the relationship that can become complicated. Perhaps a manager retaliates against an employee for ending the relationship, or they terminate the relationship and change the employee’s work duties or conditions.
Many employers are unaware of the law. We frequently contact and educate an employer and resolve the matter. If you quit, it will be harder for both of us to demonstrate that leaving your job was unavoidable for you. Most employers want to avoid litigation in court, including for public relations reasons.
Types of Sexual Harasment In The Workplace
Before deciding how to respond it is important to understand how the law defines it. Many employees know something feels wrong at work but struggle to label what is happening. Wisconsin and federal employment laws generally recognize two primary forms of sexual harassment. However, in any case, ALL forms of sexual harassment and sexually hostile work environment should be immediately reported to management / HR.
Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment
Quid pro quo sexual harassment occurs when job benefits or conditions are conditioned on submitting to unwanted sexual conduct. The phrase means “something for something,” and it typically involves someone with authority over your employment.
Common examples of quid pro quo sexual harassment include:
- A supervisor offering a promotion, raise or favorable schedule in exchange for sexual favors
- Threats of termination, demotion or discipline if sexual advances are rejected
- Continued pressure for dates or intimacy tied to job security or evaluations
This type of harassment is often more straightforward to identify because it involves a clear abuse of power. Even a single incident can be enough to support a claim if the demand affects your employment. Employers can be held responsible when managers or supervisors engage in this conduct because of their control over workplace decisions.
Hostile Work Environment Sexual Harassment
Hostile work environment sexual harassment is more subtle but equally damaging. It is actionable when unwelcome sexual conduct becomes so severe or pervasive that it interferes with your ability to perform your job or creates an intimidating, offensive or abusive workplace. Nevertheless, it is cumulative, so don’t wait to report any sexual harassment or sexually hostil3e working environment from the first instance.
Further, unlike when a supervisor or manager — considered to be the responsibility of the company – is the bad actor, when the conduct/comments are from a peer, your company is not potentially liable until they have knowledge of the co-worker’s behavior. Thus, early reporting is essential.
Examples of actionable hostile work environment sexual harassment may include:
- Repeated sexual jokes, comments or innuendo
- Unwanted touching, hugging or physical contact
- Display of sexually explicit images, messages or emails
- Persistent comments about appearance, clothing or body
- Sexual rumors, slurs or degrading language
Unlike quid pro quo harassment, hostile work environment claims often develop over time. The behavior does not need to come from a supervisor. Coworkers, clients or customers can also create a hostile environment if the employer fails to address the conduct after being notified.
Recognizing whether you are facing quid pro quo sexual harassment or a hostile work environment helps determine how to report the conduct and what legal remedies may be available. It also helps your Wisconsin sexual harassment attorney assess employer liability, identify supporting evidence and develop a strategy for resolving the situation.
If you are unsure how the law classifies what you are experiencing, speaking with a sexual harassment lawyer in Wisconsin can help clarify your options and next steps.
Harassment In The Workplace: Answering Your Questions
If you suspect that you are experiencing workplace sexual harassment, you probably have a plethora of questions. It is common not to know whom to trust. You can turn to us for reliable advice when you need it the most. Here, we have taken a few moments to respond to some of the questions that we hear most often about sexual harassment.
What should I do if I am being sexually harassed at work?
The first thing to do is tell the perpetrator to stop their inappropriate behavior. Report their actions or words to your superior. Document the incident in detail. If the harassment does not stop, then:
- Continue to document every incident of abuse.
- Escalate your complaint to your supervisor’s superior.
- Contact an employment law attorney.
Sometimes, the intervention of a lawyer is necessary to show your employer that you are serious about ending harassment as, if applicable, recovering compensation for your damages.
What is “quid pro quo” sexual harassment?
The phrase quid pro quo is Latin for, “something for something.” It refers to a coworker or supervisor offering to exchange a promotion or another incentive for sexual favors.
When should I talk to a lawyer if I am being sexually harassed at work?
It is never too early to consult an attorney about workplace sexual harassment or other forms of gender-based employment discrimination. When you speak with an employment lawyer, they can advise you of your rights, explain your options and let you know whether you have an actionable claim on your hands.
These are probably only a few of the things you want to know about ending workplace harassment. For even more answers, get in touch with our compassionate team today.
Call Us As Soon As Possible
Instead of quitting, contact us immediately. Our Waukesha harassment in the workplace attorneys will listen to you and explain your options. Your remedies may include job modification or money damages.
We are tough and proactive Milwaukee sexual harassment lawyers, handling cases with sensitivity and confidentiality. We have 45 years of employment and business law experience, and have represented people in a very wide variety of work situations.
Contact Our Milwaukee Attorneys To Discuss Your Case
For information on how we can best serve your needs, call us at 414-616-3229, or contact a Milwaukee sexual harassment lawyer online.