Sexual harassment in the workplace is very serious and victims can experience significant emotional and physical harm as a result. If you have experienced unwanted sexual advances in your workplace, contact a sexual harassment attorney in Atlanta GA from Barrett & Farahany, LLP. In addition to seeking legal advice, there are steps you can take that may help you stop or lessen the abuse. If someone you know or work with is experiencing sexual harassment, these tips may help them as well.
How to Offer Support
You may be wondering how you can be supportive of someone who is suffering as a result of being the target of sexual harassment. Victims often feel isolated and alone. They may doubt themselves and wonder if they simply are imagining the harassment. This might be in addition to feeling undeserved guilt about being a target. You can gently approach the victim as a coworker or friend, depending on your relationship with this person. By offering support directly to the victim, it can help them make decisions about actions to take. You might even encourage them to contact a harassment lawyer in to learn about their legal rights.
Do keep in mind that the victim may not want help, but they will know that they have a witness and ally if they decide to take action.
Inappropriate Joking or Teasing
If you overhear sexual jokes or behavior of crude nature, especially if you believe it is directed at you, speak up directly to the abuse by stating you are uncomfortable. If witnesses speak up at the moment, it can go a long way towards sexual harassment or teasing becoming stigmatized at work. If the behavior continues, report it to your manager. If that is not effective, or if your manager is one of the persons making jokes, you may need to contact a sexual harassment attorney.
The initial reaction of many harassers is that he or she is joking and should not be taken seriously. Sexual joking is all too common in a workplace environment. Crude language and teasing can lead to high turnover rates, low morale, and even lawsuits. An employer should hold all parties responsible for their words and behavior. If it’s the employer or supervisor who is involved in this destructive behavior, you have legal rights.
Symptoms of Sexual Harassment
Those who have experienced sexual harassment may suffer issues of self-esteem, endure emotional challenges, and have a decreased ability to focus at work. Victims may also suffer from losing sleep, a loss of appetite, headaches, and severe weight fluctuations. In turn, these conditions can lead to additional health issues like a weakened immune system, hormone imbalance, and chronic fatigue from stress and high blood pressure.
An employee who is fearful to come into work due to worrying about experiencing more sexual harassment may start calling in sick or even requesting a leave of absence. It is important that you let a harassment lawyer in Atlanta GA from Barrett & Farahany, LLP know if you had to take a period of time away from work because of harassment. If the victim does not report the harassment or seek therapy in order to move on from mistreatment, it can have a significant impact on his or her future career and personal relationships.
Our Goal: Provide Victims with the Best Harassment Lawyer Atlanta GA Respects
We believe sexual harassment should not be taken lightly and as such, we offer victims a free case evaluation. To take advantage of this opportunity, please call a sexual harassment lawyer in Atlanta GA at Barrett & Farahany, LLP to schedule your appointment.
