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 who are located in Puyallup can be required to establish and visibly post company policies regulating sexual conduct. Such policies should include items such as contact information for reporting harassment incidents, procedures for filing claims, and any corrective or preventative measures should a claim be 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 Puyallup 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. Therefore, hiring a Puyallup lawyer can be the surest way to file your sexual harassment claim within the deadlines specified by the state of Washington.