The law of the state of Washington defines sexual harassment as conduct that is unwelcome, and encompasses both physical and verbal acts. The types 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 Washington Law Prohibit Sexual Harassment?

First, employers in Lynden are often required to establish company policies regarding sexual conduct, which must be posted and visible to employees. 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.

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

How can a Washington attorney help?

Without expertise in the applicable laws, both investigating and showing a sexual harassment claim can be difficult. The federal agencies that handle initial claims of sexual harassment are often understaffed and overworked. Because of this, working with a Lynden attorney might be the best way to make sure that your claim is processed in a timely manner.