Sexual harassment is defined by North Carolina law as unwelcome conduct that is of a sexual nature, which includes both verbal and physical actions. The forms 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 North Carolina Law Prohibit Sexual Harassment?

First of all, employers in the city of Kinston may be required to implement 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 policies to be followed in filing a claim, and the remedies available when a claim successfully proven.

There are also federal and North Carolina laws that have established agencies to handle sexual harassment claims. These agencies have authority to investigate a Kinston workplace for the sexual harassment conduct that is alleged in the complaints they receive. Such laws also make it illegal for employers to dismiss an employee for filing a harassment claim or to take any other action based on retaliation against the employee.

How can a North Carolina 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 overworked to handle individual claims. Thus, hiring an attorney in Kinston can be the safest way to file your claim within the deadlines for sexual harassment claims that North Carolina has defined.