Sexual harassment harms us all. Harassment leads to absenteeism, poor morale, loss of focus, and legal consequences. Failure to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace will break compliance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and similar state civil rights laws and fair employment laws. In addition, the employer is liable as the company is always responsible for harassment by a supervisor that results in a tangible employment action.
Even if a harassment event does not result in a tangible employment action, the employer may still be liable unless it proves that:
- It exercised reasonable care to prevent and promptly correct any harassment.
- The employee unreasonably failed to complain to management or to avoid harm or otherwise.
Victims of sexual harassment may be entitled to:
- Lost salary or wages
- Transfer
- Purge of personnel file
- Emotional distress
- Punitive damages
- Court-ordered policy changes and training
