Sexual Harassment

You Have the Right to Feel Safe and Respected at Work

Sexual harassment can leave you feeling uncomfortable, powerless, anxious, and unsure of what to do next. You may worry about your job, your career, or whether anyone will believe you if you speak up. No one should have to endure sexual harassment in order to earn a living.

At Harris Law, we understand how difficult these situations can be. We take the time to listen to your situation, answer your questions, and help you understand your rights. If you have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, you do not have to face it alone.

What Is Sexual Harassment?

Sexual harassment is a form of unlawful discrimination that can occur in any workplace. Sexual harassment can come from a supervisor, manager, co-worker, customer, client, vendor, or another individual in the workplace. It can affect employees of any gender, any gender identity, and any sexual orientation. It occurs in workplaces of all sizes and in every industry.

Examples of sexual harassment may include:

• Unwanted sexual advances
• Inappropriate comments about appearance or body image
• Sexual jokes, texts, emails, or messages
• Repeated requests for dates after being declined
• Unwanted touching or physical contact, from hugs or shoulder rubs to sexual assault, and everything in between;
• Sharing sexually explicit images or materials
• Offensive or inappropriate comments about gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity
• Threats or promises tied to employment opportunities based on sexual conduct

Not every situation looks the same. If behavior in your workplace has made you feel uncomfortable, intimidated, or unsafe, it may be worth speaking with an attorney about your options.

We Can Help You Report Internally

Many sexual harassment victims come to us seeking advise on how to make the harassment stop.   Connecticut law provides protections to victims of sexual harassment, including some protections that may not be available under federal law.  Making an internal complaint with your employer prior to filing a lawsuit or a claim with the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities is a key step in maximizing your ability to protect your legal rights.  We can provide advice on how to navigate the difficult process of knowing how to make a sexual harassment claim in your workplace and guiding you through the process.

Retaliation Is Illegal

Many employees hesitate to report sexual harassment because they fear retaliation. You may worry about losing your job, being passed over for promotions, receiving unfair discipline, or being treated differently after making a complaint.

Both federal and Connecticut law protect employees from retaliation for reporting sexual harassment or participating in an investigation. Employers cannot legally punish employees for exercising their rights in good faith. In Connecticut, our state law provides several protections that federal law does not, including requiring your employer investigate your complaints of sexual harassment, and prohibiting taking actions that affect your employment or position without your written consent as a means of addressing the harassment. For example, if you report your supervisor for sexual harassment, and your employer decides to separate your work environments from your harasser, your employer cannot legally require you to move to another work location, or shift, or take a different role without your written consent.

If you reported harassment and then experienced termination, demotion, reduced hours, reduction in pay, negative performance reviews, or other adverse treatment, you may have a claim for illegal retaliation.

How We Can Help

It is a common misconception that you must have corroboration of your word for a successful sexual harassment case. This is simply not true. Your truthful testimony is enough, and we are ready to listen and believe you.

As a staunch defender of women’s rights, including the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, Harris Law has a particular interest in representing victim of workplace sexual harassment, and will help guide you through the legal process of securing your rights.

Our goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment where you can share your experience and receive honest guidance about your rights and options.