If I Ignore It, Will Sexual Harassment Just Go Away?

DuPage County Lawyers Explain Why Reporting Sexual Harassment Is Important

Sexual harassment is a prevalent concern in many workplaces. Unfortunately, those who have experienced harassment may not know how to respond. Unwanted sexual advances, inappropriate behavior or comments, or other actions that make a person feel uncomfortable or threatened can be very distressing, and victims may wonder if they should tell others, report these incidents, or take other actions. In some cases, attempting to ignore inappropriate behavior may seem like the best option, but this will most likely be an ineffective way of preventing future harassment from occurring.

In our years of experience with sexual harassment cases at Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC, we often hear how clients believe that sexual harassment simply involved jokes or other inappropriate actions that they thought would eventually go away. However, this is not often the case; workplace sexual harassment usually does not stop until the victim reports the harassment. You do not deserve to feel uncomfortable at your workplace to the point that it is intolerable. Therefore, you should report any incident of sexual harassment as soon as possible.

Reporting and Documenting Sexual Harassment

You should not hesitate to notify your company's human resources department or a supervisor in order to immediately end harassment by any of your coworkers. You can make this type of report if you have been the victim of harassment or if you have observed harassment that has affected others. Although it may seem unlikely, the situation can easily escalate. A person may believe that they are not doing anything wrong, and if others remain silent, they may think jokes, comments, or sexual advances are not a problem. They may continue to take inappropriate actions or even engage in more serious forms of harassment that could make their victim or others in their workplace feel unsafe. We often hear from our clients that sexual harassment did not go away until it was reported. At Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC, we believe that no one should ever have to feel uncomfortable at their workplace, and they should not have to deal with any form of harassment. We understand that this can be a very sensitive subject matter and an uncomfortable subject to discuss. Therefore, our lawyers approach each sexual harassment case with compassion, empathy, and skill. In addition to reporting sexual harassment to supervisors, human resources departments, or other people in positions of authority at a company, it is important to document exactly what happened. Official complaints, communications about incidents of harassment, or documentation related to investigations can serve as invaluable evidence if legal action becomes necessary. A log of sexual harassment incidents can also be very helpful, providing important context about when sexual harassment occurred, exactly what happened, who was present, and how you were affected.

Contact Our Wheaton Sexual Harassment Lawyers

We have years of experience with sexual harassment cases, and we can provide you with quality representation as you address the negative effects you have experienced. If you have any questions regarding sexual harassment, do not hesitate to contact us. You can call us at 630-665-7300 and schedule a consultation. We have assisted clients all over the west Chicagoland suburbs, including St. Charles, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, and Kendall County.