Whether you have suffered through insulting or derogatory office language, had to brush off unwanted sexual advances from coworkers, or been coerced into a sexual favor by a boss or supervisor, you have been the victim of employment sexual harassment. Sexual harassment does not only consist of touching or grabbing; it has many different forms and all are entirely inappropriate and illegal in the workplace. To take action today, you need to contact the Kansas City employment attorneys of the HKM Law Firm.
Common Examples of Kansas City Sexual Harassment
One in three women between the ages of 18 and 34 has been harrassed in the workplace, according to Huffington Post. Under Kansas state laws, as well as through Federal laws, all forms of sexual harassment are barred from Kansas City workplaces. The following are common types of sexual harassment that our past clients have experienced:
- Sexual Bribery/Quid Pro Quo: When a manager or employer offers a reward in exchange for a sexual favor, sexual bribery or quid pro quo harassment has occurred. Even if the sexual act was legally consensual or never happened, the fact that a supervisor who was in the dominant work position made the offer is unacceptable and unethical.
- Sexual Coercion: Sexual coercion is similar to sexual bribery, but instead of a reward, the perpetrator offers only punishment if the victim does not cooperate. Examples include reducing the employee’s wages, number of hours, vacation day, position, and other perks.
- Gender Harassment or Assertion of Power: Gender harassment or assertion of power occurs when a coworker or employer makes a derogatory comment or uses inappropriate language. According to the New York Times, only 25% of sexual harassment claims are botched attempts at sex and only 5% of those take the form of coercion or bribery. The most common type of harassment is assertion of power.
- Sexual Imposition: This is any unwanted or uninvited sexual touching or assault.
- Seductive Behavior: While the victim may not have been seduced in the slightest, seductive behavior consists any type of sexual behavior not appropriate for the workplace, and includes repeated phone calls or emails for dates.
- Ignoring the Problem Will Not Make it Go Away
Victims of sexual harassment generally only find peace in the workplace when they speak up against the abuser by seeking legal aid. Ignoring a harasser does not work in most cases, and only provides the perpetrator with a sense of security that their abusive actions and language will continue to go unpunished. Whether you are male or female, no one has the right to subject you to inappropriate language or actions in the workplace, be the coworkers, clients, or managers.
Reach Our Sexual Harassment Attorneys Today for Immediate Help
Sexual harassment takes away from an employee’s sense of worth, productivity level, enjoyment at work and at home. Take legal action today by demanding a safe, and sexual harassment free workplace. Call the HKM Employment Attorneys LLP at (816) 607-4691 today to get started at once.
