Sexual Harassment Lawyer / Attorney
- Orlando, Florida
Sigman & Sigman,
P.A., Attorneys at Law
No-one should endure being the victim of
sexual harassment in the workplace. Over the last
decade sexual harassment has been one of the most highly
publicized area of employment law. Even after the incorporation of
workplace sensitivity training and "zero tolerance" policies, sexual
harassment still exists in businesses throughout central Florida.
The
attorneys of the Sigman & Sigman, P.A. have been active advocates
for sexual harassment victims
throughout Central Florida since 1992.
Sexual harassment occurs in many
different contexts and forms. The sexual harasser might be a
company owner, a supervisor, a manager, a 'lead' persons, a foreperson,
a co-worker, a subordinate employee, or a group or combination of
people in the workplace. Some workplaces foster and tolerate a
sexually harassing environment where the employees feel free to
engage in sexually harassing conduct without concern. In some
circumstances, employees may even be subjected to sexual harassment
from customers, vendors, contractors and others who interact with
them in the workplace.
Not all employers are covered by Title
VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Florida Civil Rights Act
of 1992. But those employers who are covered by these laws are
prohibited from engaging in employment discrimination on the basis
of gender or sex. Through court rulings over the course of
many years, sexual harassment has been found to be a type of gender
discrimination. So when an employee complains of or sues based
upon sexual harassment, he or she is actually complaining of sexual
or gender discrimination. Sometimes the sexual harassment also
crosses over into behavior which is a civil tort or criminal
violation (such as for example assault and battery). In any
form, sexual harassment typically leaves the victim feeling
violated, humiliated and powerless. Sexual harassment at work
can affect a victim's mental health, home life and general
well-being, in addition to harming work-enjoyment and
work-performance.
Sexual harassment law covers both men
and women. Men are protected from sexual harassment in the
same manner as women are protected. The Supreme Court has also
ruled that sexual harassment can be found to occur even in a
single-gender workplace. The case law has developed a
complex and fact-specific set of rules and standards that apply to
the analysis of whether particular facts and circumstances will or
will not constitute actionable "sexual harassment" in court.
A person who feels that sexual
harassment is occurring or has occurred in his or her workplace
should consult legal counsel for guidance as to how to handle the
situation. People often do not seek legal counsel until late
in the process, when they have already made errors in the way that
they handled the situation. Experienced legal counsel can
advise and guide a person as to their rights and how to best protect
themselves in the situation.
Sexual harassment is generally
described as any unwelcome sexual behavior in the workplace. Such
behavior can take many forms such as for example:
-
Physical
Sexual Harassment: unwelcome physical
embraces, kissing, groping, grabbing, touching personal areas, brushing against
or patting;
-
Verbal
Sexual Harassment:
sexual innuendos, sexual questions, descriptions of sexual acts,
'come-ons', sexual propositions, derogatory sexual comments,
statements about intimate body parts, and crude or “dirty” jokes;
-
Visual Sexual
Harassment:
pictures of naked men or women or sexually suggestive
pictures, posters, signs, cartoons, or drawings.
The total facts and circumstances must
be considered and evaluated in determining whether unlawful sexual
harassment has occurred. Experienced and knowledgeable legal
counsel should be consulted as to this issue.
People who properly object to illegal
harassment in the workplace have certain legal protections against
retaliation. This includes people complaining on behalf of
themselves or on behalf of others.
It is important to note that sexual
harassment also occurs in the non-workplace context such as when a
doctor, therapist, teacher, counselor or minister or pastor abuses
his or her power in the relationship and takes sexual advantage of a
patient, client or congregation-member. The power imbalance in
such situations is akin to the power imbalance in workplace sexual
harassment situations. Those in positions of power or
authority do not have the right to take sexual advantage of their
subjects. The attorneys at Sigman & Sigman P.A. have
experience and knowledge in handling these complex issues of sexual
harassment, sexual abuse and sexual misconduct, even if they occur
outside of an employment relationship.
If
you believe that you have been a victim of unlawful sexual
harassment or you are concerned that others in your workplace have
been subjected to unlawful sexual harassment,
contact the
law firm of Sigman & Sigman, P.A.
or other attorneys of your choice for a confidential legal
consultation. Employers and those in power positions usually
have lawyers advising and guiding them in these circumstances -
employees are entitled to seek such counsel for themselves and
'level the playing field'.
To consult with a attorney / lawyer at
The
law firm of Sigman & Sigman, P.A.
call (407) 332-1200, to schedule your confidential legal
consultation.
Altamonte
Springs, Maitland, Orlando,
and Central Florida Sexual Harassment Lawyer / Attorney
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Patricia R. Sigman
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Phillip W. Sigman
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relationship.
211 Maitland Avenue •
Altamonte Springs, FL 32701 •
(407) 332-1200 • Fax: (407) 332-1210
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