While workplaces are supposed to grant people a sense of safety, the unfortunate truth is that this isn’t always the case. Many employees experience personal threats like sexual harassment every day at work, and many wonder what they can do about it. Although the law does provide protection in terms of allowing employees to bring lawsuits against employers who allow this type of hostile work environment, it isn’t recommended that an employee move forward with legal action until they’ve consulted an attorney. Consider the following reasons why:
The Employee has a role
Even though an employee may be a victim of sexual harassment, the burden of proof will still be on him or her. However, many victims don’t realize that that doing so starts well before they ever enter a courtroom. In order to have any chance of a successful case, victims must:
* Document all instances of sexual harassment.
* Report every occurrence to the employer, using the instructions given by the employer.
* Complain to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission if the employer fails to address the sexual harassment issue.
Because carrying out these tasks isn’t always easy or straightforward, employment law attorneys in Springfield, MA can help ensure no mistakes are made in the process, so an employee does not end up jeopardizing the case.
Determining Damages is Complex
If a lawsuit becomes necessary, the employee will need to know how much money they should be seeking. While calculating things like lost wages (due to having to quit the job or being fired because of retaliation) may be easy, figuring out what an employer should pay for things like emotional distress may not always be as clear. Fortunately, employment law attorneys in Springfield, MA can help. They’ll help victims make sure they aren’t overlooking any potential damages so there is nothing left on the table once the lawsuit is settled. Knowing what the case is worth also helps ensure that victims can’t be fooled by the other party into taking a settlement that’s too low.
When an employee fights for their right to a safe work environment, it becomes beneficial to them and everyone who works for the company. Contact the legal professionals at Connor Morneau & Olin to learn more about why having an attorney is a must when it comes to getting a successful outcome in any sexual harassment case. Visit the site for more info about the employment law attorneys in Springfield, MA.
