If you work in the educational services industry and you were sexually harassed at work, you are not alone. According to workplace sexual harassment claims filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the educational services industry accounted for 3.98 percent of sexual harassment claims filed from 2005 to 2015.
If you work in the educational services industry and you were sexually harassed at work, you may be able to file an employment law claim. An employment law attorney will help you get your claim on track before the deadline for pursuing such a claim.
How An Educational Services Industry Employee May Experience Sexual Harassment In The Workplace
The educational services industry has employees filling a variety of roles. Teachers, instructional assistants, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, administrative assistants, and coaches are among the employees in this field.
Workers in any industry – including the educational services industry – could suffer from sexual harassment in the workplace.
Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors and comments, jokes, acts, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature or directed at employees because of their sex.
Sexual harassment in the workplace is a serious issue. As an example, you are a female teacher in a school. The principal is constantly asking you out.
He tells you that if you agree to date him, you will not have to worry about not having your contract renewed and you will be guaranteed tenure.
Another example of sexual harassment in the educational industry would be if you were the only female sports coach in a high school and you are receiving a significantly smaller stipend than your male counterparts.
You are told that your stipend will be increased if you will take care of the assistant principal’s needs.
Filing A Sexual Harassment Claim While Working In The Educational Services Industry
If you have been the victim of sexual harassment in the educational services industry, you will need to file a claim against your employer.
The key to a successful claim is to gather as much evidence and documentation as possible. This will include your employee handbook, your employment contract, any memos, text messages, photos, or video or audio recordings that prove that you suffered sexual harassment in the workplace.
Also, statements from any witnesses can also help corroborate your claim.
As an example, if you were a teacher who was told your contract would not be renewed if you didn’t agree to date the principal, you will need to have proof that is what you were told.
If another teacher or an office assistant heard the comments, you will need a statement from him or her. If you received inappropriate texts or emails from the principal, you should not delete them. They should be printed off and used as supporting evidence.
Your first step in pursuing a workplace sexual harassment claim in the educational services industry will be to talk with your employer.
You will need to file a complaint with either a supervisor or with the human resources (HR) department. You will need to maintain proof that you filed a complaint with your employer.
You should keep all correspondence regarding your claim and be sure to document what is said regarding your claim. If the issue is not resolved, or if your employer does not resolve the issue, you will need to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
They will investigate your claim and talk with your employer to try to resolve the matter. If they cannot get the issue settled, you will need to take your claim to the next level by filing a lawsuit against your employer.
Get A Free Case Evaluation Today
If you have suffered workplace sexual harassment in the educational services industry, you should have your claim reviewed by an employment law attorney who handles such claims in your state.
An employment law attorney will work diligently on gathering supporting evidence and building a strong claim.
When you meet with an attorney, be sure to discuss the payment programs. Some attorneys want a retainer to be paid upfront while others will take the case on a contingency basis, which means that they will not be paid until you win your case.
An attorney will be familiar with the state and federal laws that apply to your situation and will ensure your claim will be filed in a timely manner before time runs out. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page to share the details of your claim.
