Pittsburgh Workplace Sexual Harassment Attorney
How to Cope with Sexual Harassment in the Workplace and What Are Your Legal Options
If you have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, you may struggle to determine how to handle this issue. You may feel alone and isolated, and you may worry that others will not believe you. You may also be concerned about the possibility of losing your job or facing other consequences if you report harassment. Fortunately, you have options for responding to sexual harassment, and in addition to determining how you can protect your rights and address this issue from a legal standpoint, you can also take steps to cope with the ways you have been affected.
The attorneys of Colianni & Leonard LLC understand the difficulties that victims of sexual harassment experience, and we are dedicated to helping people determine the best ways to address employment discrimination. We know the struggles you are likely to face in these situations, but with our understanding of the laws that protect you, we can advise you of your options and help you take action against your harasser or those who enabled this illegal behavior. We will work to make sure you will have the resources you need to address the ways you have been affected, both professionally and personally.
Protecting Your Rights and Well-Being as a Victim of Sexual Harassment
If you have been the victim of sexual harassment, you are likely to experience significant emotional distress. Your harasser may threaten to punish you if you report harassment, or they may claim that because they have a good reputation, nobody will believe you. They may also act as if they have done nothing wrong, making you feel like there is something wrong with you if you think that harassment has occurred.
In these situations, it is important to understand that you are not alone. The first step you can take if you have experienced harassment is to talk to others about what you are going through. You can report any concerns you have to your company's human resources department or other managers or supervisors. However, if you do not want to report harassment, you can still reach out to others to share what you are going through and receive emotional support.
If you feel comfortable doing so, you may want to talk to coworkers about what has happened. By doing so, you may find that others have experienced similar harassment. You can also receive support by discussing these matters with people outside of work, such as friends and family members. You may want to consider receiving psychological counseling, or you may be able to seek out support groups where you can connect with others who have had similar experiences. It is also a good idea to keep a log of what you are going through, and this documentation of harassment may be important evidence in a legal case.
As you determine how to cope with the emotional and personal issues related to sexual harassment, you will also want to understand your legal options for responding to this issue. If you report harassment to your employer, they are required to address the issue and take steps to prevent any future harassment. If they fail to do so, or if you experience retaliation for reporting harassment, you may be able to take legal action against both your employer and the person who harassed you.
Contact Our Pittsburgh Workplace Sexual Harassment Lawyers
At Colianni & Leonard LLC, we can advise you on how to respond to sexual harassment, how to receive the necessary legal and emotional support, and how you can pursue compensation for the ways you have been affected. We will provide you with strong and effective representation, fighting to protect your rights and ensuring that you can move past this traumatic experience. Contact our office by calling 412-680-7877 to schedule a complimentary consultation.