Tacoma workers who experience sexual harassment at work often feel overwhelmed and unsure what to do next. Sexual harassment in Tacoma workplaces can include offensive sexual comments, unwanted sexual advances, sexually inappropriate messages, or other behavior that creates a hostile work environment. Many Tacoma workers worry that reporting sexual harassment could lead to retaliation or that their employer will ignore their complaint. However, Tacoma workers facing sexual workplace harassment have legal rights and options. Here we explain three important steps Tacoma workers can take after experiencing sexual workplace harassment and how an experienced Tacoma sexual harassment lawyer can fight to protect your rights.

Step 1: Know Your Rights if You Experience Workplace Sexual Harassment in Tacoma

The first step for Tacoma workers facing sexual harassment at work is understanding that sexual workplace harassment is illegal. Both federal law and Washington law prohibit sexual harassment that creates a hostile or abusive workplace environment.

Sexual harassment in Tacoma may involve repeated sexual comments, sexually offensive jokes, inappropriate touching, sexual requests, or other conduct that makes a Tacoma worker feel unsafe or intimidated at work. In some cases, supervisors may attempt to condition promotions, scheduling, or job security on sexual favors. These situations can create serious legal violations in Tacoma workplaces.

Tacoma workers should know that they do not have to tolerate workplace sexual harassment in order to keep their job. Tacoma workers who experience workplace sexual harassment have the right to report the behavior and pursue legal action when Tacoma employers fail to stop the sexual harassment.

Step 2: Make a Complaint Following Your Employer’s Sexual Harassment Policies

The next step Tacoma workers should consider is reporting the sexual harassment according to their employer’s workplace policies. Many Tacoma employers have written sexual harassment policies that explain how Tacoma workers can file a complaint.

Following the employer’s sexual harassment reporting procedures may involve reporting the conduct to a supervisor, human resources department, or another designated contact person. Making a complaint can help create a record that the Tacoma employer was aware of the sexual harassment.

Once a Tacoma employer receives a complaint about workplace sexual harassment in Tacoma, the employer has a duty to investigate and take steps to stop the sexual harassment. Unfortunately, some Tacoma employers fail to take sexual harassment complaints seriously or allow the behavior to continue. In other cases, Tacoma workers who report sexual harassment may face retaliation.

When Tacoma employers ignore sexual harassment complaints or retaliate against Tacoma workers, legal action may be necessary to protect the worker’s rights.

Step 3: Contact a Tacoma Sexual Harassment Lawyer

Tacoma workers facing sexual harassment should not have to fight their employer alone. Speaking with an experienced Tacoma sexual harassment lawyer can help Tacoma workers understand their legal rights and options.

An experienced Tacoma sexual harassment lawyer can investigate the sexual harassment, review workplace communications and complaints, and determine whether the employer failed to stop the misconduct. Legal action may allow Tacoma workers to pursue compensation for lost wages, emotional distress, and other damages caused by workplace sexual harassment.

Having an experienced Tacoma sexual harassment lawyer on your side can also help protect Tacoma workers from retaliation and ensure that employers are held accountable for allowing sexual harassment to occur in the workplace.

Contact a Tacoma Sexual Harassment Lawyer Today

Tacoma workers who experience sexual harassment deserve to work in an environment that is safe and free from sexual misconduct. Taking action can help stop the sexual harassment and protect your rights.

India Lin Bodien, Attorney at Law represents Tacoma workers and workers throughout Washington (including in Seattle, Yakima, Spokane, and anywhere else in Washington State) facing sexual harassment and other forms of workplace discrimination. If you experienced sexual harassment at work in Tacoma or in Washington, contact India Lin Bodien, Attorney at Law today and speak with an experienced Tacoma sexual harassment lawyer who will fight for you.