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 prevalent types of sexual harassment amongst employers.

How does Massachusetts Law Prohibit Sexual Harassment?

First, Reading employers can be required to implement company policies that specifically address sexual harassment in the workplace. These must be posted in a visible area such as a break room. 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.

The laws of the state of Massachusetts and federal law have both appointed agencies with the authority to investigate sexual harassment claims. These agencies conduct investigations at a given Reading work site in order to verify if a complaint that they have received is true or not. These laws also prohibit employers from firing workers or taking any retaliatory action against workers who have complained of sexual harassment.

How can a Massachusetts attorney help?

Without expertise in the applicable laws, both investigating and establishing a sexual harassment claim can be difficult. The federal officers who investigate claims of sexual harassment are, unfortunately, often too busy to give much attention to any one claim. Accordingly, hiring a lawyer in Reading might be the best way to ensure that your claim is filed within the deadlines specified by Massachusetts for sexual harassment matters.