Safeguard against sexual harassment.Changes in the law encourage employers to strengthen policies A recent Supreme Court ruling that an employer can be held liable for sexual harassment sexual harassment, in law, verbal or physical behavior of a sexual nature, aimed at a particular person or group of people, especially in the workplace or in academic or other institutional settings, that is actionable, as in tort or under equal-opportunity statutes. , even if the employer is unaware of the incident, should serve as a warning to business owners to develop or refine company policies. The ruling falls under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which also protects non-victims from working in a "sexually hostile" environment. In essence, an employee can sue a company if he or she witnesses others being harassed, reports it and nothing is done. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (www.eeoc.gov) has received a steady increase in the number of sexual harassment claims filed since the 1991 Anita Hill/ Clarence Thomas Clarence Thomas (born June 23, 1948) is an American jurist and has been an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States since 1991. He is the second African American to serve on the nation's highest court, after Justice Thurgood Marshall. hearings. In that year, 6,883 claims were filed; last year, 15,889 charges were filed with EEOC, and of those cases that were resolved, almost 19% resulted in some benefit to the charging party. "Employers must either institute or go back to their policies and make sure that there are effective mechanisms in place for their employees to report allegations of harassment Ask a Lawyer Question Country: United States of America State: Nevada I recently moved to nev.from abut have been going back to ca. every 2 to 3 weeks for med. ," says Karen Khan khan Historically, the ruler or monarch of a Mongol tribe. Early on a distinction was made between the title of khan and that of khakan, or “great khan.” Later the term khan was adopted by the Seljuq and Khwarezm-Shah dynasties as a title for the highest , a senior litigator lit·i·gate v. lit·i·gat·ed, lit·i·gat·ing, lit·i·gates v.tr. To contest in legal proceedings. v.intr. To engage in legal proceedings. with Jackson, Lewis, Schnitzler & Krupman in Washington, D.C., and a former EEOC supervisory trial attorney. Follow these further steps to protect your company: * Develop and establish a policy. Your company policy should clearly define sexual harassment, list several examples and explain procedures for filing complaints and company follow up. Consult the EEOC (202-663-4900 or www.eeoc.gov). * Have a clear procedure for filing complaints. Employees should have a non-threatening process in place to report an incident, or to discuss any behavior they feel is unprofessional. Stress confidentiality and that you, the employer, will not tolerate retaliation RETALIATION. The act by which a nation or individual treats another in the same manner that the latter has treated them. For example, if a nation should lay a very heavy tariff on American goods, the United States would be justified in return in laying heavy duties on the manufactures and against any employee for coming forward. Give all employees the names and phone numbers of human resources The fancy word for "people." The human resources department within an organization, years ago known as the "personnel department," manages the administrative aspects of the employees. and other staff to contact. * Provide harassment training. Many managers aren't sure how to handle a claim of sexual harassment. Provide training for management and staff so they clearly understand what harassment is, how to prevent it and how to handle an incident. * Investigate every complaint. Take immediate action when informed of an incident. Carefully research the allegations and respond with the appropriate actions. Seek outside counsel if necessary. |
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