Sexual harassment is a serious problem in American workplaces. It can occur between co-workers, bosses and their subordinates, or even employees and independent contractors. In Louisville, men and women can both claim sexual harassment against others and can both be accused of committing sexual harassment.
Sexual harassment can take on different forms, and one serious form is called quid pro quo harassment. “Quid pro quo” means “something for something,” and this trade forms the backbone of quid pro quo harassment claims. An example of quid pro quo harassment could involve a supervisor offering an employee a raise in exchange for a sexual favor.
Proving a claim of quid pro quo harassment can be difficult. Individuals who allege it often must prove a variety of different elements, including but not limited to:
- The harassing party was a supervisor of the victim
- The victim suffered harm as a result of the harassment
- The harassing party was a cause of the victim’s harm
Victims of quid pro quo harassment and other forms of sexual harassment sometimes feel trapped in their situations and fearful of losing their jobs. An attorney who represents victims of harassment in the workplace can advise their client on their rights and their options for protecting themselves and their employment. While different cases will evolve on different facts and circumstances, some legal remedies that victims of quid pro quo harassment may secure can include:
- The recovery of lost wages and/or benefits
- Reinstatement lost employment opportunities
- Reinstatement of lost employment positions
Readers of this post should not interpret its content as legal advice. All legal claims of sexual harassment and other forms of workplace harassment should be evaluated on their own facts and merits. Louisville-based employment law attorneys can help men and women who have experienced sexual harassment in their places of employment seek relief and a the protection of their legal rights.