When people file a claim of sexual harassment at the workplace, it is when they are harassed while they are physically present in their job, such as in their office building. However, it may give rise to a doubt whether employees working from home can file a similar complaint or not. The good news is, yes, you can.
In our blog, we will tell you how one can be harassed while working from home and what rights they have against it. If you are sexual harassment victim, you may be scared and confused. However, you must know that you are not alone. An Austin sexual harassment lawyer can help you take your first steps towards justice and compensation.
What is sexual harassment, and can it happen from a distance?
Sexual harassment is usually thought of as unwelcome physical touches. However, that is not the proper definition for it. Sexual harassment refers to any kind of unwanted sexual behavior, be it physical or verbal. Therefore, we can establish that sexual harassment can happen from a distance and not just when you are physically present in the same room with the person.
Is it possible to file a claim of sexual harassment if you work from home?
Yes. When you work from home, you can still be in contact with your employer and colleagues. If your employer or colleague tries to pressure you, suggests, or asks for sexual advances through phone calls, social media platforms, or any other form of digital communication, it is known as sexual harassment.
When you experience this, it is important to ask the person to stop their behavior immediately. Often people continue their behavior because they think the other party is allowing it.
However, if they do not stop despite you telling them to stop, it is time to take action. Firstly, you can report it to the company’s authorities or the Human Resources department. In many cases, this should solve the problem for you. If it does not, you can file a legal complaint with the help of an attorney.
An Austin sexual harassment lawyer can help you gather the evidence you need to demonstrate the harassment and build strong strategies and defenses. In case you do not want to get into legal matters, an attorney can help you make sure that your employer does something about the complaint.
Examples of online sexual harassment
Online sexual harassment can take various forms. The digital world has made it simpler to communicate with people, even those we do not know. The following are some ways you may be harassed online.
- Sending offensive messages on your phone.
- Harassment via emails
- Posting about you on Facebook, or other social media platforms
- Sending obscene images, also known as “sexting.”
Contact an attorney today to discuss your options.
