Kansas City Lawyers Standing Up For Workplace Sexual Harassment Victims
Sexual harassment is illegal in Missouri workplaces and nationwide. Sexual harassment at work is a violation of the Missouri Human Rights Act and the national Civil Rights Act.
If you have been sexually harassed at work by a coworker, manager or any other party, your rights have been violated and you may be able to pursue an employment law claim to get compensation for back pay, front pay, reinstatement, emotional distress and more.
If you quit because of the circumstances, you still can pursue a claim. If you were fired for reporting sexual harassment, you still can pursue a claim and you may also have a claim for retaliation.
At Carter Law Offices in Kansas City, our attorneys have decades of experience and an impressive record of success in employee sexual harassment claims. Contact us for a free consultation to learn more about your options.
Am I Being Sexually Harassed At Work?
Signs to watch for include:
- Being touched unnecessarily (in most jobs, there is no reason for coworkers to touch you at all)
- Having your physical appearance, sexuality or dating life remarked upon repeatedly
- Being told inappropriate jokes or sexual “humor” repeatedly
- Being propositioned repeatedly
- Being shown pornography, nude posters or other sexually explicit material
- Receiving offers of workplace benefits from supervisors in exchange for sexual favors (quid pro quo)
While women tend to be the victims of sexual harassment on the job, men also experience sexual harassment at work and both men and women have the same protection under the law.
Sexual harassment can come from managers/supervisors and other people in power as well as from coworkers. Further, sexual harassment may come from contractors or other parties present where you work. You may even have a claim if you were sexually harassed by customers and your employer did not take steps to prevent this from happening.
If you’re not sure whether what you’re experiencing at work amounts to sexual harassment, talk to our employment law lawyers. We can review your situation and provide knowledgeable guidance based on our extensive experience handling these cases.
What Is The Difference Between Sexual Harassment And Gender-Based Harassment?
Sexual harassment encompasses much more than just sexually charged behavior targeted toward one sex such as inappropriate touching, teasing or jokes. It also may include threats of firing, demotions or denied promotions if sexual favors aren’t granted.
Gender-based harassment based on gender identity, gender expression or perceived gender is just as serious as other forms of sexual harassment but is focused on gender alone and sometimes isn’t even about sexual activity. Like sexual harassment, gender based harassment may also involve threats of firing, demotions or denied promotions.
We handle all of these types of cases, standing up for employees’ rights to a safe, harassment-free workplace.
How Do I File A Sexual Harassment Claim At Work?
Contact your human resources department or representative for details about your employer’s policy or procedure for reporting sexual harassment. You may want to contact them via email instead of phone or in-person so you have documentation of reporting. You are welcome to talk to our lawyers even before you report the incident to your employer and we can give you tips and guidance.
Remember: Save all evidence of sexual harassment at work. This includes emails, chat messages and documents. If there is no physical evidence, carefully note what happened, when and where it occurred, and if there were any witnesses. Evidence may be crucial for your case.
Are Workplace Sexual Harassment Claims Confidential?
It’s understandable to want to protect your identity when you’re reporting something as sensitive as sexual harassment. You shouldn’t have to jeopardize your livelihood or reputation in order to speak up against illegal and unethical conduct.
Depending on the legal process you pursue, there may be steps you can take to protect your privacy. Our attorneys can advise you on the specifics.
Even without confidentiality protections, however, you are still protected from retaliation. Under no circumstances is it okay for your employer to take negative employment action against you in retaliation for your speaking up against sexual harassment. Retaliation is a serious issue that can provide grounds for an additional legal claim.
Why Choose Carter Law Offices?
At Carter Law Offices, we understand that choosing the right legal representation for your sexual harassment case is a critical decision that can significantly impact your future. Our firm stands apart from other employment law practices through our unwavering commitment to client advocacy and proven results in workplace harassment cases.
What sets us apart:
- Comprehensive legal background: Our diverse practice areas, including employment discrimination, professional negligence and business litigation, provide unique insights into corporate behavior and workplace dynamics that benefit sexual harassment clients
- Medical knowledge advantage: Our in-house registered nurse staff member provides invaluable medical understanding for cases involving pregnancy discrimination, disability issues or situations where harassment has caused physical or emotional health problems
- Proven trial experience: We do not shy away from taking cases to trial when necessary to secure justice, with attorney Douglas L. Carter having taught trial techniques through the National Institute for Trial Advocacy
- Track record of success: Our recent employment discrimination victories, where we secured full recovery for clients, demonstrate our effectiveness in achieving meaningful results for workplace harassment victims
- Professional recognition: Media interviews and active involvement with organizations like the National Employment Lawyers Association establish our credibility and deep knowledge in employment law matters
- Willingness to fight: We take on challenging cases that other attorneys might avoid, never backing down from complex legal battles against major corporations or government entities
Our approach focuses on building genuine relationships with clients while maintaining clear communication throughout your case. We believe in being straightforward about litigation realities while working aggressively to overcome legal obstacles and achieve the best possible outcomes.
We understand the sensitive nature of sexual harassment cases and the courage it takes to come forward. Our team treats every client with respect and dignity while fighting relentlessly for justice in the workplace.
We offer initial consultations at no cost, allowing you to meet with our experienced team without financial risk while determining if we are the right fit for your sexual harassment case. Contact us today to discuss your situation and learn how we can help you seek the justice you deserve.
What Can You Expect Working With Our Team?
When you work with us, our legal team will fully investigate the circumstances of your legal claim. If your employer fired you for rejecting his/her advances or otherwise made your work life difficult, we may be able to pursue a wrongful discharge claim.
Understand that employers are going to fight these allegations to the end. So will we. We will look over all of the evidence to fully establish that your employer could have taken steps to prevent sexual harassment.
Carter Law Offices has built a record of success taking on major corporations, government entities and employers. We will not be intimidated. Rather, we will be dedicated to achieving results and accomplishing your goals.
Call The Sexual Harassment Lawyers Of Carter Law Offices For A Free Consultation
If you were a victim of sexual harassment in your workplace, our attorneys can help you take action against it. To schedule a free initial consultation, contact our Kansas City office online or call 816-283-3500.