No employee should have to experience sexual harassment, but unfortunately many still do. One of the contributing factors to its continuation is that so many cases go unreported, leaving the harassers free to continue harassing that person or others.
Understanding how you can bring a claim can help you put a stop to any you experience or see. The law gives two options, so you need to see which would be appropriate in your case.
Quid pro quo
This can only take place when there is an imbalance of power whether real or perceived. The harasser uses their power to try and get a sexual favor from the victim by making them the offer of an exchange. In exchange for a sexual favor, they will do something for them, such as allowing them to keep their job, giving them a promotion, pay raise, positive review or easier duties.
Hostile work environment
All employees should be able to go to work without feeling scared, intimidated or oppressed. If someone makes the workplace unpleasant for you by sexually harassing you then you may be able to claim on the grounds of a hostile work environment. It could be because of one major thing the harasser did, or a series of smaller ones.
It may feel daunting to file a sexual harassment claim, but filing is the best way to put a stop to the harasser’s inappropriate behavior, especially if your employer has failed to take sufficient action after you reported it to them. You can make things easier and increase your chance of success by getting experienced legal help.