What is Sexual Harassment under Alaska Law?
Alaska law defines sexual harassment as any unwanted conduct of a sexual nature, whether they are verbal advances or physical action. Some types of sexual harassment that are most commonly committed by an employer include exchanging favoritism for sexual favors, the creation of a hostile work environment of a sexual nature, and sexual advances.
How does Alaska Law Prohibit Sexual Harassment?
First, employers who are located in Barrow can be required to create and visibly post company policies regulating sexual conduct. These policies may include contact information for an employee to report sexual harassment, the procedure for handling such claims, and the corrective measures for when a claim is proven.
Additionally, federal and Alaska laws create specific agencies which are responsible for handling sexual harassment cases. The agencies are given authority to investigate workplaces in Barrow to determine if the incidents alleged in the complaints they receive are true. Such laws also make it illegal for employers to fire an employee for filing a harassment claim or to take any other action based on retaliation against the employee.
How can a Alaska attorney help?
It can be difficult to both investigate and prove a sexual harassment claim without having any expertise in the applicable areas of law. The federal agencies that handle initial claims of sexual harassment are often understaffed and overworked. So, hiring a Barrow lawyer can be the surest way to file your sexual harassment claim within the deadlines specified by the state of Alaska.
