What is Sexual Harassment under Montana Law?
Sexual harassment is defined under Montana law as unwelcome conduct that is of a sexual nature, which includes both verbal and physical actions. The types of sexual harassment that are most common when done by an employer are sexual advances, the exchange of workplace favoritism for sexual favors, and the creation of a hostile work environment that is overly sexual.
How does Montana Law Prohibit Sexual Harassment?
First, employers in Great Falls are often required to implement company policies regarding sexual conduct, which must be posted and visible to employees. The policies should at least include: contact information for the reporting of sexual harassment incidents, an outline of procedures to be followed in filing a claim, and the remedies available when a claim successfully proven.
There are also federal and Montana laws that have created agencies to handle sexual harassment claims. These agencies have authority to investigate a Great Falls workplace for the sexual harassment conduct that is alleged in the complaints they receive. 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 Montana 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 Great Falls lawyer can be the surest way to file your sexual harassment claim within the deadlines specified by the state of Montana.
