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, Spring Lake employers can be required to create company policies that specifically address sexual harassment in the workplace. These must be posted in a visible area such as a break room. Such policies should include items such as contact information for reporting harassment incidents, process for filing claims, and any corrective or preventative measures should a claim be proven.

The laws of the state of North Carolina and federal law have both established agencies with the authority to investigate sexual harassment claims. These agencies conduct investigations at a given Spring Lake work site in order to verify if a complaint that they have received is true or not. Also, under these laws, employers may not fire or retaliate against any employee who has alleged sexual harassment in a claim.

How can a North Carolina attorney help?

Without expertise in the applicable laws, both investigating and proving a sexual harassment claim can be difficult. It's not uncommon for federal investigators to be too overworked to handle individual claims. Because of this, working with a Spring Lake attorney may be the ideal way to make sure that your claim is processed in a timely manner.