According to Massachusetts law, sexual harassment is defined as the unwanted conduct which is of a sexual nature, and includes both verbal advances and physical acts Sexual advances, creating a hostile work environment that is blatantly sexual in nature, and sexual advances are some of the more common types of sexual harassment amongst employers.

How does Massachusetts Law Prohibit Sexual Harassment?

First of all, employers in the city of Dartmouth may be required to establish company policies with regards to sexual harassment and post these in a visible location so that employees may be informed. 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 Massachusetts laws that have created agencies to handle sexual harassment claims. These agencies have authority to investigate a Dartmouth 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 Massachusetts 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 Dartmouth lawyer can be the surest way to file your sexual harassment claim within the deadlines specified by the state of Massachusetts.