If you work in the accommodations and food services industry and you were sexually harassed on the job, you are not alone.
According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the accommodations and food services industry accounted for more claims than any other job kind during the last two decades from 1995 to 2016.
The Guardian reported that 89 percent of hospitality industry workers experienced one or more sexual harassment incidents while working.
More than half of employees reported having been harassed by a customer and a fourth of them report being harassed by a manager. If you work in the accommodations and food services industry and were a victim of sexual harassment on the job, you may be able to file an employment law claim.
How An Accommodations And Food Services Industry Employee May Experience Sexual Harassment In The Workplace
Often jobs in the accommodations, food services, and hospitality industry require a specific dress code. These employees may also work unusual hours and serve alcohol, which causes a louder, more rambunctious atmosphere which puts employees in a place where they are more susceptible to advances.
Also, jobs in this industry may offer lower pay and are tip-based, which makes the workers dependent on management for their shift scheduling and they rely on customers for tips.
Sexual harassment is when explicit or implicit sexual overtones, such as the unwelcome and/or unappreciated promise of being rewarded for sexual favors occurs.
As an example, as a waitress if a customer pats you on the rear-end and says that if you let him touch you then you will be given a better tip.
Another example would be if a female customer drops the tip down the front of the male server’s pants or rubs his back inappropriately.
Either of these examples are commonplace situations that are faced by employees in the accommodations and food services industry who are sexually harassed while on the job.
Filing A Sexual Harassment Claim While Working In The Accommodations And Food Services Industry
If you work in the accommodations and food services industry and you have been subjected to sexual harassment, you will want to file a claim against your employer.
Sexual harassment in the workplace is illegal. You will need to gather as much supporting evidence as possible. You will need to ask any witnesses for statements regarding what they saw and/or heard. If there are audio or video recordings of the incident, they can also be beneficial to your claim.
Other evidence that you will need will include your employee handbook, your employment contract, paystubs, memos, emails, texts, and other supporting documentation.
Your first step will be to file a claim with your company, so meet with the human resources (HR) department. You will need to provide them with the specific details and provide copies of your evidence and documentation.
Always document your employer’s response and keep any correspondence that you receive. If the issue is not resolved, or if the problem persists, you will need to file a complaint with the EEOC, which oversees such laws and policies.
If the EEOC finds there is a pattern of such behavior, or that your employer willfully broke the law, or if they cannot get the issue resolved, they will suggest that you take the next step and file a lawsuit against your employer for sexual harassment in the workplace.
You can ask to be compensated for any damages that you suffered because of the sexual harassment on the job in the accommodations and hospitality industry.
Get A Free Case Evaluation Today
If you work in the accommodations and hospitality industry and you have suffered sexual harassment in the workplace, you should enlist the help of an employment law attorney who handles sexual harassment claims.
An attorney will be familiar with the state and federal laws and will determine the best way for you to proceed with your claim. When you meet with the sexual harassment lawyer, be sure to discuss your payment options.
While there are attorneys who take cases on a contingency basis, some do require a retainer to be paid in advance.
You have a statute of limitations – or a time limit – for pursuing a claim after suffering sexual harassment in the workplace.
Be sure to complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page to share the details of your sexual harassment in the accommodations and food services industry with an attorney today.
