Columbus, OH Sexual Harassment Lawyers

Sexual harassment should be treated as a zero-tolerance policy by all employers, and our workplace sexual harassment lawyers in Columbus, Ohio are here to help ensure that you do not experience harassment.

Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, sexual harassment is, by definition, a form of sex-based discrimination. Every person deserves an opportunity to earn a living in a workplace that is safe and free from all forms of sexual harassment. If you or your loved one has been forced to endure any type of job-related sexual harassment, it needs to stop immediately. You have legal options available.

At Coffman Legal, our Columbus, Ohio sexual harassment lawyers are strong and tireless advocates for employees in the state. If you experienced any form of sexual harassment from your supervisor, your manager, your co-worker, or a customer, you need to take immediate action to protect your rights.

To arrange a free and fully confidential review of your sexual harassment case, be sure to call our Columbus law office today. We’re ready to fight for you.

Workplace Sexual Harassment Is a Serious Problem

Sadly, workplace sexual harassment remains a very serious problem in the United States. According to a survey conducted by Langer Research Associates, 25% of women and 10% of men report that they have been victims of sexual harassment. Sadly, less than half of all employees who have been forced to deal with sexual harassment say that they have ever formally reported the issue or sought out a lawyer for sexual harassment at work.

The Two Types of Sexual Harassment: Quid Pro Quo and Hostile Work Environment

An attorney is imperative in helping employees with sexual harassment claims. Under Title VII, there are two potential sexual harassment claims: quid pro quo sexual harassment and hostile environment sexual harassment. If you have experienced either form of sexual harassment at work, our Columbus sexual harassment in the workplace lawyers are here to help.

What Is Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment?

Quid pro quo sexual harassment generally involves a manager or supervisor forcing an employee to endure sexual harassment in exchange for some type of benefit. A textbook example of this would be an employer dangling a promotion in return for sexual favors.

This practice is strictly and unquestionably illegal. To prevail in a legal claim of quid pro quo sexual harassment, a plaintiff will typically be required to prove the following:

• The employee was subjected to unwelcome sexual harassment in the form of sexual advances or requests for sexual favors
• The harassment was based, at least in part, on sex
• The employee’s submission to the unwelcomed advances was an express or implied condition for receiving job benefits
• The employee’s refusal to submit to a supervisor’s sexual demands resulted in a tangible job detriment
• The existence of respondeat superior liability (the employer is responsible for the actions of their employees during employment)

If you have experienced quid pro quo sexual harassment, you need to take action to protect your rights. Even if you accepted a promotion or received any other so-called “benefit,” you still have been a victim of unlawful sexual harassment, and our Columbus sexual harassment attorneys are ready to review your case.

What Is Hostile Work Environment Sexual Harassment?

Hostile work environment sexual harassment occurs when an employee is forced to endure unwelcome sexual advances, sexual innuendos, or an overall offensive atmosphere that is either severe or pervasive enough to make a reasonable person feel uncomfortable and unwelcome. Generally, a hostile work environment sexual harassment cases require an employee to prove the following:

• The employee was subjected to unwelcome sexual harassment in the form of sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature
• The harassment was based on sex
• The charged sexual harassment had the effect of unreasonably interfering with the plaintiff’s work performance and creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment that affected seriously the psychological well-being of the plaintiff
• The existence of respondeat superior liability (the employer is responsible for the actions of their employees during employment)

To be clear, you don’t have to prove that you have been psychologically harmed. Instead, the courts must determine if the alleged conduct was severe or pervasive enough to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment sufficient to change the terms and conditions of the employee’s employment. It is the objective standard that matters, and experienced Columbus, Ohio sexual harassment lawyers can help guide you through the process.

In instances where the harassment results in a tangible employment action, the employer is held strictly liable for the supervisor’s actions. However, where there is no tangible employment action, the employer may assert an affirmative defense. If you have experienced hostile environment sexual harassment, please contact our Columbus lawyers for sexual harassment at work right away.

You Have Rights and Our Workplace Sexual Harassment Lawyers Can Help

Employers cannot retaliate against you if you report a sexual harassment claim. You have the right to raise an informal complaint, the right to file a formal sexual harassment claim, and the right to support another employee’s sexual harassment case without facing any form of adverse employment action from your company.

Unfortunately, despite strong protections against workplace retaliation, it remains a major problem. In fact, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s Task Force on Harassment in the Workplace found that as many as 75% of workers who have spoken out on misconduct in the workplace have faced some form of illegal employer retaliation.

If an employer retaliates against you for reporting a sexual harassment, our sexual harassment attorneys can help you receive protection. Contact us with any questions you have about your work environment. The legal process is very complicated and clients are best served if they are represented by a sexual harassment attorney.