Strong Legal Representation For Sexual Harassment
Sexual Harassment Is A Type Of Discrimination
In New Jersey and elsewhere, it is legally defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that tends to create a hostile or offensive work environment. Retaliating against someone for complaining about sexual harassment is illegal, and Federal and State law makes employers responsible for preventing and stopping the sexual harassment of employees. The Law Offices of Piro, Zinna Cifelli Paris & Ginetempo in North Jersey can help. To harass an applicant or employee because of that person’s sex is illegal and can come in many different forms. For example, it may be verbal, physical, visual, or written. Unnecessary touching, impeding movements, derogatory comments, jokes, gestures, obscene notes, and pictures can all be instances of sexual harassment. However, the conduct must be unwelcome and severe or pervasive.
Attorney Alan Gientempo, can be contacted at 973-542-2766 to discuss your employment law matter.
Defining Harassment
While the law does not ban cavalier remarks or simple joking, any harassment that is recurrent or so callous that it creates an offensive working environment is illegal. Therefore, while one sexual innuendo made by an employer might not necessarily be considered sexual harassment, relentless remarks or one severe incident very well may be. More specifically, when sex is made a condition of keeping, losing, or succeeding at one’s job, it is known as “quid pro quo” sexual harassment. Contrary to common belief, sexual harassment does not have to be of a sexual nature and can simply include offensive remarks about a person’s sex. For instance, it is against the law to harass a woman by making insulting statements about women, in general. Victims of sexual harassment should also consider filing a lawsuit to reap damages. Contact Alan Gientempo to discuss your case at 973-542–2766