If something has made you feel uncomfortable at work, you need to stand up for yourself. Sexual harassment and gender discrimination are not only wrong; they are violations of your civil rights. There are federal laws in place to protect people from the unnecessary humiliation and shame of being sexually harassed and gender discriminated in the workplace.
You might feel alone and scared, you might experience anger and hatred, and you probably feel nervous or anxious about going to work after being sexually harassed or discriminated against – those are all natural reactions. You are not alone in this; a Tulsa employment law attorney can help guide you through the steps you need to take to put an end to the discrimination and harassment.
EEOC Complaints
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) handles complaints about workplace harassment and gender discrimination. The EEOC considers sexual harassment to be a form of gender discrimination, and while the EEOC also protects employees from retaliation from their employer for filing a discrimination complaint, many employees still fear losing their jobs or being embarrassed further if they voice their concerns.
What To Do
If you are sexually harassed in the workplace, the first thing to do is to tell the person harassing you to stop and that they are being inappropriate. Let them – and others around you – know, loud and clear, that you do not like what they are doing or saying. Then, either document the incident or report it. If you do not feel comfortable reporting it, for whatever reason, document the date, time, location, as many details about the situation as you can recall, the action you took, and the harasser’s actions.
Sexual Harassment And Gender Discrimination Are Illegal
Remember, harassment is illegal, and your documentation might need to be used in the future if it ever happens again to you or someone else. You have every right to file a complaint with the EEOC at any time after the harassment or discrimination occurs, however you have a time limit of 180 days to file a complaint with the EEOC. You know what is best for your situation and how you feel inside.
If you have experienced sexual harassment or gender discrimination in the workplace in Oklahoma and feel like you are hitting roadblocks with the EEOC, a Tulsa employment law lawyer can help you finagle the laws and guide you through the process of filing applicable lawsuits. Contact us or call 918-779-3658.