Sexually Harassed by Your Boss or the CEO?
Sexual harassment in the workplace is bad enough if it comes from a coworker; but what if it comes from a supervisor or even the CEO of your company? A victim of unwanted sexual innuendo and advances from a coworker can easily deflect and reject – and even report – this illegal behavior. But what if the offender is the CEO of your company, and you know full well that coming forward and making a report of his behavior to Human Resources will get you nowhere — and may cost you your livelihood? Instead of presuming you need to just suffer the abusive behavior in order to keep your job, you should hire the best New York Sexual Harassment attorney you can find and enforce your legal rights not to be abused in the workplace. As we have learned recently from Gretchen Carlson’s $20 million settlement with Fox News due to the alleged sexual harassment by Fox chairman Roger Ailes, you can stand up for yourself and fight this sort of illegal and demeaning behavior, even if it means you have to challenge the CEO of your company.
Sexual Harassment from the CEO is Illegal — and Even a “Consensual” Sexual Relationship Can Be Actionable
The United States Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC) makes clear that sexual harassment in the workplace is a form of sex discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, verbal and physical conduct of a sexual nature all are examples of sexual harassment in the workplace when such conduct directly or indirectly affects an employee’s ability to perform her job, impacts her job in any way or creates an offensive or hostile work environment. Even in cases when a sexual relationship develops between a boss or an employee, quid pro quo sexual harassment can still exist – and permit the employee to have legal recourse. After all, if the employee is made to feel that her job or any chance at advancement within the company hinges upon tolerating or even giving in to the sexual advances of a boss, or even the CEO, is it really a consensual relationship?
Document Everything, Preserve Everything
Once your CEO or boss starts discussing sex or makes a pass at you, you should do all that you can to preserve the communications: texts, emails, voicemail, pictures, etc. should be carefully kept along with a log of all inappropriate sexual behavior you have been subjected to, whether inside or outside of the office. Tape inappropriate conversations if you can. Do not feel that if you have given in to the sexual advances that all is lost; continue to document all of the behavior. If you are fired – or even are forced to quit – you very well may be able to sue for damages and even get your job back if you can demonstrate that the termination was retaliation for something that occurred in the relationship.
Contact a Top New York Sexual Harassment Attorney
And most importantly, contact a top New York Sexual Harassment attorney immediately to discuss your legal options. The Sexual Harassment lawyers at the Law Offices of Jeffrey Lichtman bring a tenacious background in winning high profile criminal cases to the employment discrimination and sexual harassment field – with spectacular results, including settlements of many millions of dollars for our clients just in the past year alone. Check out our reviews on Avvo legal directory, including one from a recent, very satisfied client:
“If you happened to stumble upon Jeffrey Lichtman’s page or was recommended to him by someone, you should stop looking for another attorney because it was fate and luck that you found Mr. Lichtman. … Mr. Licthman represented me in a sexual harassment case, which I wasn’t sure if I had a credible case, or not. If you have a feeling you should move forward with a sexual harassment case, or feel that an employer or boss is treating you in a way that is unfair, Mr. Lichtman will let you know if you have a case or not. … He is an incredibly effective attorney. Any day of the week or time of the day, Mr. Lichtman is always available. He will not judge anything you have done. If you seriously want to win a settlement or case you need to meet with Mr. Lichtman. He will make sure your needs are met. … Go in for a consultation and you will be surprised how much help Mr. Lichtman can really change your life!”
Call the New York Sexual Harassment attorneys at the Law Offices of Jeffrey Lichtman at (212) 581-1001 to discuss your case today.