What is Sexual Harassment under Washington Law?
The law of the state of Washington defines sexual harassment as conduct that is unwelcome, and encompasses both physical and verbal advances. 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 Washington Law Prohibit Sexual Harassment?
First, employers who are located in Vancouver can be required to create and visibly post company policies regulating sexual conduct. Matters covered by such policies should include contact information used by employees to report incidents, handling procedures for claims, and corrective measures (in the event that a claim turns out to be true).
There are also federal and Washington laws that have created agencies to handle sexual harassment claims. These agencies have authority to investigate a Vancouver workplace for the sexual harassment conduct that is alleged in the complaints they receive. These laws also prohibit employers from firing workers or taking any retaliatory action against workers who have complained of sexual harassment.
How can a Washington 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 officers who investigate claims of sexual harrassment are, unfortunatly, often too busy to give much attention to any one claim. Therefore, hiring an attorney in Vancouver can be the safest way to file your claim within the deadlines for sexual harassment claims that Washington has defined.
