Steffans Legal Agrees to Represent Server in Sexual Harassment Claims
Steffans Legal has agreed to represent a banquet server based in Middlesex County who was a victim of severe workplace sexual harassment. Shortly after our client began working for a hotel banquet facility her supervisor and a coworker began subjecting her to unlawful workplace sexual harassment. On numerous occasions our client was asked if/when she was having sex with her partner, received inappropriate comments about her body, and had to endure hearing her coworkers discussing their own sex lives. Our client asked her coworkers to stop. Nevertheless, they persisted. When the unwanted behavior continued, she reported the unlawful sexual harassment to two separate managers on two separate occasions. In the following weeks the harassment continued until she was forced to resign after being inappropriately touched in an elevator.
Was I unlawfully sexually harassed at work in Massachusetts?
That depends. In Massachusetts, there are two types of sexual harassment that are considered illegal in the workplace. First, if you are subjected to severe or pervasive behavior of a sexual nature then you may be suffering from an illegal hostile work environment. That behavior can be comments, stories, images, or behavior. Second, if your boss/supervisor is promising you some sort of benefit (e.g. raise, promotion, etc.) if you do something sexual (even if that something is just tolerating crude discussions) then you may be suffering from unlawful quid pro quo harassment.
In this case we allege that the workplace sexual harassment our client experienced amounted to an unlawful hostile work environment in violation of M.G.L. ch. 151B (the first type). Our client was subjected to unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature, the behavior altered the conditions of her employment, and after reporting the harassment the employer failed to take remedial action. If our client is successful at trial a jury may award her monetary damages including: lost wages, lost benefits, emotional distress, attorneys’ fees, and in some cases punitive damages.
We look forward to representing our client in fighting for her right to a workplace free from sexual harassment.
If you believe you are the victim of sexual harassment, contact an experienced employment attorney today for a free and confidential consultation.