According to Maryland 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 frequent types of sexual harassment amongst employers.
How does Maryland Law Prohibit Sexual Harassment?
First, Ellicott City employers can be required to establish company policies that specifically address sexual harassment in the workplace. These must be posted in a visible area such as a break room. 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 Maryland laws that have appointed agencies to handle sexual harassment claims. These agencies have authority to investigate an Ellicott City workplace for the sexual harassment conduct that is alleged in the complaints they receive. Employers are also prohibited under these laws from taking action in retaliation against an employee who has claimed sexual harassment, such as firing them or denying them a promotion.
How can a Maryland attorney help?
It can be difficult to both investigate and show 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 an Ellicott City attorney might be the best way to make sure that your claim is processed in a timely manner.