What is Sexual Harassment under West Virginia Law?
The law of the state of West Virginia defines sexual harassment as conduct that is unwelcome, and encompasses both physical and verbal advances. 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 West Virginia Law Prohibit Sexual Harassment?
First, Fairmont employers may be required to formulate company policies concerning sexual conduct and post them for employees to see. Company polices might include such matters as contact information to be used in reporting sexual harassment, filing procedures, and remedial measures in the event that a claim is proven to be true.
The laws of the state of West Virginia and federal law have both appointed agencies with the authority to investigate sexual harassment claims. These agencies conduct investigations at a given Fairmont work site in order to verify if a complaint that they have received is true or not. Also, these laws prohibit employers from firing an employee for alleging sexual harassment or taking any action in retaliation to a claim.
How can a West Virginia 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. It's not uncommon for federal investigators to be too busy to handle individual claims. Because of this, working with a Fairmont attorney might be the best way to make sure that your claim is processed in a timely manner.
