Coping with Sexual Harassment

Coping with Sexual Harassment

Batavia Sexual Harassment Attorney

Kane County Sexual Harassment Lawyers

Choosing to file a sexual harassment lawsuit is a stressful and complicated situation. It can leave the victim of the sexual harassment confused and unsure of what steps to take next. The victim may have concerns about the well-being of their career and their future. Victims may feel embarrassed about the harassment or fear that colleagues won't believe them. In many cases, the real hard work of coping with a sexual harassment lawsuit comes after the lawsuit is over. The experienced sexual harassment lawyers at Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC, will help you navigate the legal process to allow you to thrive both professionally and personally after a sexual harassment lawsuit.

Why Some Employees Fail to Report Sexual Harassment

Victims of sexual harassment are often hesitant to file a sexual harassment claim. A person who has been harassed may be experiencing:

  • Fear of employer retaliation or revenge;
  • Embarrassment resulting from the type of harassment;
  • Concern as to how the lawsuit will affect their future employment;
  • Worry that the offender will not change the behavior or may increase the harassing behavior;
  • Belief that only women are victims of sexual harassment

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) reported nearly 7000 cases of sexual harassment in 2015 and approximately 17 percent of these sexual harassment complaints were filed by men. Although it can be intimidating to take on your employer in a sexual harassment lawsuit, you should know that there are laws to protect your professional reputation and career. You do not have to face a sexual harassment lawsuit or the resulting scenarios alone.

Retaliation

Many victims of sexual harassment are afraid to file a lawsuit about the harassing behavior because they are worried their employer will retaliate. Although it is against both federal and Illinois state law for an employer to retaliate or "get back" at an employee who files such a lawsuit, some employers will still attempt to get revenge. Unscrupulous employers may try to blur the connection between the sexual harassment lawsuit and their retaliation. However, our lawyers know the law and can help you establish this connection more clearly.

Rebuilding Your Career

Sometimes when an employee suffers sexual harassment, and the employer refuses to change his or her behavior, the employee may be left with no other option than to quit their job. If this happens, the employee can make a claim of "constructive discharge." This claim means that although the employee chose to quit their job, he or she had no other choice because of harassing or discriminatory behavior. Quitting a job because it is a hostile work environment can then be seen as a termination under the law. If an employee leaves a job under these circumstances, it important for him or her to realize that future employers may not discriminate against him or her because of a prior claim of sexual harassment.

For assistance with your sexual harassment claim, contact the office of MKFM Law today. Call 630-549-0960 to speak with one of our experienced employment discrimination attorneys. We are proud to serve clients in St. Charles, Elgin, Batavia, Geneva, Big Rock, and the rest of Kane County.

NOTE: Fields with a * indicate a required field.
*
*
*
1737 South Naperville Road, Suite 100
Wheaton, IL 60189
630-549-0960
Evening and weekend hours by appointment.

We serve clients throughout Kane County, Illinois including St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia, North Aurora, Elgin, Algonquin, Aurora, Barrington Hills, Bartlett, Big Rock, Burlington, Campton Hills, Carpentersville, East Dundee, Elburn, Hampshire, Huntley, Kaneville, Maple Park, Sleepy Hollow, Wayne, West Dundee as well as throughout DuPage County.

Make a Payment
© 2024 Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC | 250 W. River Drive, Unit 2A, St. Charles, IL 60174 | 630-549-0960
Take me to top
OVC, INC
Contact Us
Contact Us

In honor of the passing of our founder, Joseph F. Mirabella, Jr., our offices are closed Friday, January 31, 2020.I Agree