What To Do When You Are Falsely Accused of Sexual Harassment?

When it comes to sexual harassment in the workplace, there are several federal and state laws that protect employees from being on the receiving end of such harassment. In Ohio, sexual harassment is prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 4112.02 of the Ohio Revised Code, among others.

The act of sexual harassment can carry serious consequences with it, often involving an individual who is found to have sexually harassed another individual being fired from their job.

False accusations of harassment in the workplace do occur alongside legitimate accusations. When it comes to individuals who are falsely accused of harassment in the workplace, the protections in place can be a little confusing.

Below, we’ll take a look at what you can possibly do if you believe you are being falsely accused of harassment in the workplace.

Note: The following is not legal advice. It is general information around potential steps you can take to defend yourself against false accusations at work. Speak with a qualified employment law lawyer at Coffman Legal, LLC for individual advice based on your case.

What Can I Do if Someone Makes False Allegations Against Me?

No matter the circumstances, there are some general steps you can take to help protect yourself.

1. Take time to understand the accusations and their seriousness of them. Approaching the accusations seriously from the beginning can help you to make clear decisions throughout the process.
2. Reach out to an attorney as soon as possible. If you know that the accusations you are facing are false, it is in your best interest to speak with an attorney. Based on the accusations and your situation, an attorney will be able to provide advice and will understand laws that will pertain to your case.
3. Collect evidence. You and your lawyer should begin collecting evidence as soon as you can. This can include speaking to witnesses, gathering any potential physical evidence, and other things like records of communication between you and the accuser.

If you and your lawyer believe that you have evidence that can prove the accusations are false, you may be able to demonstrate that your accuser’s accusations are false.

Impeachment is when the accuracy of a witnesses’ testimony is brought into question. Impeaching the individual that has falsely accused you of harassment in the workplace is one action that you can take to defend yourself. Evidence you have collected can be presented and can raise questions of the credibility of a harassment allegation.

Contact a lawyer from Coffman Legal, LLC today for more assistance on what steps you can take in defending yourself against false accusations at work.

Can I Sue Someone For Falsely Accusing Me of Harassment?

Apart from impeaching an individual, you may be wondering if you can take legal action against someone for making false accusations against you in the workplace.

If you have been falsely accused of sexual harassment, you do have the right to sue for libel or defamation. Libel and defamation will be defined differently according to each state, but they typically are defined as:

• Libel: a false statement that is published that causes damage to a person’s reputation
• Defamation: an action that results in damaging a person’s good reputation

Since libel and defamation can be broadly defined by the state of Ohio, speaking with a lawyer can be helpful in determining what will work best for your situation.

For a full look at Ohio laws around libel and slander, see Chapter 2739 of the Ohio Revised Code.

Connect With A Sexual Harassment Lawyer If You’re Facing Harassment Allegations 

If you believe that you have been falsely accused of sexual harassment in the workplace, reach out to an experienced sexual harassment lawyer today at Coffman Legal, LLC. Our top-rated attorneys have years of experience handling employment law cases, including sexual harassment and hostile work environment.

We are committed to protecting employee rights in Ohio. For a completely free and fully confidential consultation with one of our attorneys, contact us online or at 614-949-1181.