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Denver Sexual Harassment Lawyers Will Protect You From Sexual Harassment

Our Denver sexual harassment attorneys are here to help ensure that you do not experience harassment. Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, sexual harassment is, by definition, a form of sex-based discrimination. Every person deserves an opportunity to earn a living in a workplace that is safe and free from all forms of sexual harassment. If you or your loved one has been the victim of the type of job-related sexual harassment, it needs to stop immediately.

At Coffman Legal, our Denver Colorado sexual harassment attorneys are strong and tireless advocates for employees in Colorado. If you experienced any form of sexual harassment from your supervisor, your manager, your co-worker, or a customer or client, it is important to act as soon as possible. Our sexual harassment lawyers can help walk you through the process in order to protect your rights and ensure that you can recover compensation.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT IS GENDER DISCRIMINATION: CONSULT OUR DENVER SEXUAL HARASSMENT ATTORNEYS

Sexual harassment is also a form of gender discrimination and is equally prohibited by the law. Sexual harassment, whether between an employee and a superior or among co-workers, is illegal, and any claims made need to be remedied promptly and properly. If not, then legal action can be taken. There are two types of sexual harassment, which are quid pro quo sexual harassment and hostile work environment sexual harassment. Examples of illegal, or potentially illegal, occurrences of sexual harassment at work include:

  • Unwanted sexual advances, including unwanted touching;
  • Requesting sexual favors;
  • Requiring sexual conduct as part of employment or promotion;
  • Unfair employment decisions made based on sexual conduct;
  • Permitting sexual conduct; and
  • When sexual conduct creates a hostile work environment.

Additionally, less obvious things, such as sexual innuendos, offensive pictures in the workplace, or unwanted touching, may also constitute sexual harassment. Sometimes, the “little things” add up, and can create a hostile work environment. Frequent, unwelcome comments about someone’s appearance, or unwanted shoulder massages are two examples of behavior that may not feel like a “big deal,” but are actually forms of sexual harassment. Other times, your boss may act inappropriately with you and imply that you might receive a promotion if you play along with the inappropriate activity. You deserve to work in a sexual harassment-free workplace. Our Denver sexual harassment lawyers are here to answer any questions you may have.

THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT: QUID PRO QUO AND HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT

Under Title VII, there are two categories of sexual harassment claims: quid pro quo sexual harassment and hostile environment sexual harassment. If you have experienced either form of sexual harassment at work, please do not hesitate to contact our Denver sexual harassment attorneys for immediate assistance.

1. WHAT IS QUID PRO QUO SEXUAL HARASSMENT?

Quid pro quo sexual harassment generally involves a manager or supervisor asking or telling an employee to agree to engage in sexual activities or behavior in exchange for some type of benefit, such as a promotion or better working conditions or benefits. It is unlawful for your supervisor to do this because it is sexual harassment and is unlawful. Generally, quid pro quo arrangements occur when:

  • The employee was subjected to unwelcome sexual harassment in the form of sexual advances or requests for sexual favors;
  • The harassment was based, at least in part, on sex;
  • The employee’s “agreement” and submission to the unwelcomed advances was an express or implied condition for receiving job benefits;
  • The employee’s refusal to submit to a supervisor’s sexual demands resulted in a tangible job detriment, such as being fired; and
  • The existence of respondeat superior liability (also known as “vicarious liability”, meaning the employer is responsible for the actions of their employees during employment).

If you suspect that you have been the victim of a quid pro quo arrangement, it is important that you document everything that has happened, even if you do not think it will look favorable to you. Additionally, even if you accepted a promotion or received any other so-called ‘benefit’, you still have been a victim of unlawful sexual harassment and are entitled to compensation. Please contact our Denver sexual harassment attorneys immediately.

2. WHAT IS HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT SEXUAL HARASSMENT?

Hostile work environment sexual harassment occurs when an employee is forced to endure unwelcome sexual advances, sexual innuendos, or an overall offensive atmosphere that is either severe or pervasive enough to make a reasonable person feel uncomfortable and unwelcome. Hostile work environments can involve all types of employment, from the C-suite executives, to a local manager, to a shift supervisor, to an hourly, non-managerial employee. Generally, a hostile work environment sexual harassment cases require an employee to prove the following:

  • The employee was subjected to unwelcome sexual harassment in the form of sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature;
  • The harassment was based on sex;
  • The charged sexual harassment had the effect of unreasonably interfering with the plaintiff’s work performance and creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment that affected seriously the psychological well-being of the plaintiff; and
  • The existence of respondeat superior liability (also known as vicarious liability, meaning the employer is responsible for the actions of their employees during employment)

To be clear, you don’t have to prove that you have been psychologically harmed. Instead, the courts must determine if the alleged conduct was severe or pervasive enough to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment sufficient to change the terms and conditions of the employee’s employment. It is the objective standard that matters. The experienced Denver Colorado Hostile Work Environment Attorneys at Coffman Legal can help guide you through the process.

In instances where the harassment results in a tangible employment action, the employer is held strictly liable for the supervisor’s actions. However, where there is no tangible employment action, the employer may assert an affirmative defense. Because sexual harassment claims are usually complicated and time-consuming, if you have experienced hostile environment sexual harassment, please contact our Denver Colorado Hostile Work environment lawyers right away to help.

YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO REPORT SEXUAL HARASSMENT: PROTECTIONS AGAINST RETALIATION

It is unlawful for an employee to retaliate against any employee that asserts its rights. For example, employees can’t be fired for filing for workers comp, complaining about sexual harassment, filing a charge with the EEOC, talking to an attorney, or filing a lawsuit. You have the right to raise a complaint, file a formal sexual harassment claim, and the right to support another employee’s sexual harassment case without facing any form of adverse employment action from your company. Adverse actions can include termination, demotion, pay cuts, or reassignment to undesirable positions and changes in employment because an employee asserts their rights.

If an employer retaliates against you for reporting sexual harassment, our Denver sexual harassment attorneys can help you get protection and compensation from this retaliation by your employer. Contact us with any questions you have about your work environment. The legal process is very complicated, and clients are best served if they are represented by a sexual harassment attorney.

CONTACT OUR DENVER COLORADO SEXUAL HARASSMENT LAWYERS FOR A FREE CONSULTATION

At Coffman Legal, Our Denver sexual harassment lawyers are here to assist you with any sexual harassment concerns you are having at work. If you believe you are being sexually harassed at work, please contact our Denver sexual harassment attorneys today. We can analyze the conduct you are experiencing and devise a plan to protect you from further sexual harassment. For a FREE, fully confidential consultation with our top-rated Denver gender discrimination attorneys, please contact us at 720-784-7717.

Contact Coffman Legal Today