If you work in the manufacturing industry and you were sexually harassed at work, you are not alone. According to the claims that were filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), 11.72 percent of all sexual harassment claims filed from 2005 to 2015 were from the manufacturing industry.
These are from all different positions that work for various manufacturers. If you work in the manufacturing industry and you were sexually harassed at work, you may be eligible to pursue an employment law claim against your employer and recover compensation for your damages.
How a Manufacturing Employee May Experience Sexual Harassment
There are many ways that sexual harassment can take place, and often, it starts out discreetly. Sexual harassment can be inappropriate comments or advances, inappropriate touching, or making offers of promotions, pay raises, and other benefits if you give in to the requests of the other party.
In the manufacturing industry, you may be a mechanic, machine operator, inspector, security guard, line supervisor, warehouse worker, work in shipping department, work in ordering, or be a salesperson. Any role that you have in manufacturing could be subjected to sexual harassment. You will need to maintain evidence and documentation to support your claim and to prove that you suffered harassment while on the job.
As an example, the only female machine operator in a facility is often welcomed by cat calls and inappropriate remarks are made regarding her appearance and how they would like for her to dress. A male shipping clerk is often tapped on the rear-end or rubbed up against by his female coworkers who often make sexual advances that are unwelcomed. Either scenario is an example of sexual harassment in the manufacturing workplace.
Filing a Sexual Harassment Claim While Working in the Manufacturing Industry
If you have suffered sexual harassment while working in manufacturing, you will want to make sure you get your claim underway in a timely manner. There is a time limit, which is called a statute of limitations, for pursuing a claim.
You will need to gather all the supporting evidence that you can to ensure your claim is handled in a timely manner. If you have audio or video recordings of the harassment, or if there were witnesses who heard or saw anything and they give you statements, that will help corroborate your claims.
Other supporting evidence may include your employment contract, the employee handbook, paystubs, timecards, memos, texts, digital images, and so forth. The more evidence that you have, the stronger your claim will be against your employer.
You will start the claims process by notifying your employer. This will be done by contacting your manufacturing facility’s human resources (HR) department. You should provide them with a detailed account of situation and copies of the evidence. Be sure to document the response and keep any correspondence that you receive.
If you don’t get a satisfactory response, or if your employer doesn’t take your claim seriously, you will want to advance the claim to the EEOC. You can file the complaint online or in person at the nearest EEOC office.
You will be interviewed by an EEOC representative and they will review the details surrounding your claim. They will speak with your employer and try to resolve the matter.
If they do not get the issue resolved, or if the harassment persists, they may recommend that you file a lawsuit against your employer in an attempt to recover compensation for your damages. An employment law attorney can guide you through the process and ensure that you are treated fairly.
Get a Free Case Evaluation Today
If you work in the manufacturing industry and you have been the victim of sexual harassment in the workplace, you may want to enlist the help of an employment law attorney.
An attorney will know the state and federal laws that apply, will investigate your claim, and will ensure all your damages are included in your request for compensation. When you consult with an attorney, discuss the payment plans because some lawyers take cases on a contingency basis and are not paid until you recover compensation, but others will require a retainer to be paid upfront.
You do have limited time to pursue a claim, so do not wait too long or you cannot recover compensation for your damages. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form to share details with a lawyer who handles such claims in your area.
