Sexual Harassment Attorney Oklahoma City
The Information You Need To Know
By Joshua C. Smith
SEXUAL HARASSMENT AT WORK
Workplace sexual harassment can take a number of different forms. It can come from a coworker, a supervisor, or a customer/client. Sexual Harassment can range from unwanted touching, inappropriate comments/jokes, or someone promising you a promotion in exchange for sexual favors.
Interestingly, sexual harassment does not always have to be “sexual” in nature. Sexual harassment can also be teasing, intimidating, or offensive comments based on stereotypes. For example, a comment may be about how certain people are or how they should act. Sexual harassment can also be bullying someone or a group of people based on their sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Sometimes sexual harassment is about sex combined with race or ethnicity. For example, a comment may be a sexual stereo type about a particular race or ethnicity.
“It is crucial that you seek quality legal assistance immediately to preserve all of your constitutional rights”
Sexual harassment is highly underreported and more common than you think. Victims can be male or female, and the offenders can be a supervisor or colleague. You have the right to work in a safe and discrimination free environment. If someone at work is making sexual advances and sexually inappropriate behavior towards you, hiring an experienced Oklahoma City sexual harassment attorney can help resolve the issue.
Examples of Sexual Harassment
Making unwanted requests for sexual favors or dates
Making inappropriate comments about someone’s body or appearance
Making sexual comments/jokes about a certain gender or sexual orientation
Using gender-based or sexual orientation-based slurs
Making vulgar, offensive, or explicit jokes about sex/sexual acts
Sending or sharing emails, texts, or messages of a sexual nature
Gossiping about someone’s personal relationships or sex life
Unwanted or inappropriately touching any body part, clothing, face, or hair. This can include hugging, kissing, or assault
Staring, leering, or making gestures of a sexual nature
Blocking someone’s movement
Displaying, sending, or sharing vulgar pictures or pornography
If you have experienced any of these or any other types of harassment contact an experienced Oklahoma City Sexual Harassment attorney immediately.
It is important to remember that sexual harassment is subjective. It matters what the person who’s being harassed thinks; It does not matter if the person who’s doing the harassment thinks it’s OK, harmless, not sexual, or welcomed. It’s still harassment if the behavior is something you do not want or find offensive.
It also still counts as harassment even if, in the moment, you don’t immediately say “stop” or something else to let the person know that what they’re saying/doing is inappropriate. For example, you might laugh along at a joke that you find offensive, or accept a hug because you are caught unaware in the moment, or because you are worried the person will react badly if you don’t go along with their behavior. If the harasser is a supervisor or someone else who has more power than you, you might be afraid speaking up or saying “no” will impact your job. All of these are normal responses to harassment. Responding this way does not make the harassment less serious, or make you more responsible.
Hire An Attorney
It is crucial that you seek quality legal representation immediately to protect your rights. Joshua C. Smith is an experienced and compassionate employment law attorney in Oklahoma City that specializes in sexual harassment. Joshua C. Smith can advise you on your rights as an employee or can consult your company on how to properly deal with sexual harassment. Contact the Law office of Joshua C. Smith to see why Joshua C. Smith is a top rated employment lawyer in Oklahoma City.