Can You Get Fired for Reporting Sexual Harassment?

Many victims of workplace sexual harassment feel like they cannot report their abuser for fear of retaliation from their employer, such as demotion or termination. The law, however, protects employees who decide to report workplace sexual harassment. Learn your rights in this situation.

Workplace Sexual Harassment Laws

Sexual harassment is any unwanted or unwelcome advances or comments of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment can be physical, verbal, electronic, and more. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the following behaviors constitute workplace sexual harassment:

• The victim, as well as the harasser, may be a woman or a man. The victim does not have to be of the opposite sex from the harasser.
• The harasser may be the victim’s supervisor, a co-worker, or a non-employee, such as a vendor or customer.
• The victim does not have to be the person harassed but could be anyone affected by the offensive conduct.
• Unlawful sexual harassment may occur without economic injury to or discharge of the victim.
• The harasser’s conduct must be unwelcome.

It is illegal for an employer to retaliate against an employee for filing a sexual harassment charge, testifying, or participating in any way in an investigation, proceeding, or litigation.

Unfortunately, however, some employers still decide to intimate or threaten employees who report sexual harassment. This is in violation of the law.

If you have experienced workplace sexual harassment and you need help filing a claim, or you have faced retaliation from your employer for doing so, our employment law attorneys at Pearson Butler can help protect your rights.

Contact Pearson Butler at (800) 265-2314 to schedule a consultation.