If you work in the public administration industry and you have been sexually harassed while at work, you are not alone. According to the statistics showing the number of claims filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the public administration industry accounted for 6.48 percent of the sexual harassment claims filed in the United States from 2005 to 2015.
If you work in the public administration industry and you were sexually harassed at work, you may be able to file an employment law claim to recover compensation for your damages. You should gather supporting evidence and talk with an employment law attorney.
How an Employee in Public Administration Could Experience Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Public administration employees fill various roles, including human resources positions, city manager roles, municipal budget directors, city finance managers, state mental health directors, census managers, cabinet secretaries, and many other non-elected public servant roles. These roles are often employees of city, county, state, or federal government entities.
Sexual harassment is when you are subjected to the request of sexual favors in return for something. Examples would be if you are told that if you date the manager, you will be given a pay raise or if you have sexual relations with a supervisor, you will be guaranteed a promotion.
There are many ways that sexual harassment occurs in the public administration industry. Sometimes sexual harassment is more obvious than others, but there are situations in which it can begin discreetly and then become more evident and lead to more serious issues. It can consist of inappropriate touching, sexual advances, sending inappropriate photos and text messages, and tasteless jokes.
As an example, you are the financial director for a rural county. The mayor says that he will ensure that you get a considerable pay raise if you spend time with him after work.
Another example would be if the city manager is told that his contract will be renewed, and he will receive a higher pay rate if he will date the vice-mayor. If you have been subject to sexual harassment in the workplace as a public administration employee, you do have resources available.
Filing a Sexual Harassment Claim While Working in Public Administration
If you have suffered sexual harassment in the workplace in public administration, you should file a claim. You have resources available to help you.
Your first step will be to gather supporting evidence and documentation for your claim. You should gather your employment contract, employee handbook, paystubs, and timecards. Get statements from any witnesses who have seen or heard incidents that apply to your sexual harassment claim.
You will first notify your employer of the situation. You should schedule a meeting with the human resources (HR) manager. You will need to provide details about the sexual harassment and provide copies of the supporting evidence and documentation.
You should document how your employer responds and be sure to keep any and all correspondence that you receive from your employer about the situation. If the matter does not get resolved, you will take the next step and file a complaint with the EEOC.
This can be done online or by scheduling an in-person appointment at the nearest EEOC office. Either way, you will be interviewed by an EEOC employee and your claim will be investigated. The EEOC will notify your employer.
If the EEOC finds a pattern of illegal behavior, or if they cannot get the matter resolved, they will suggest that you file a lawsuit against your employer in an effort to recoup compensation for your damages. When the claim advances to court, a judge or jury will determine the outcome. Often, claims are resolved before they must advance to that level. Sexual harassment in the public administration industry is a serious problem that must be addressed.
Get a Free Case Evaluation Today
If you have suffered sexual harassment in the workplace in the public administration industry, you should enlist the help of an employment law attorney. An attorney will be familiar with all the applicable state and federal laws and will review your company policies and procedures. An attorney will make sure you have all the supporting evidence and documentation that you need, and that your claim is filed before the statute of limitations runs out.
When you speak with a lawyer, you will need to discuss payment options because some takes cases on a contingency basis while others require an advance retainer to be paid. Complete your Free Case Evaluation today.
