South Carolina Sexual Harassment Liability Lawyers

Unwanted sexual advances in the workplace defined by South Carolina and federal law as sexual harassment can impact your ability to work, your psychological state, and even your sense of personal safety. But what is sexual harassment? Who is liable for South Carolina sexual harassment? And what can you do if you're a victim?

Sexual harassment can take two forms quid pro quo and environmental. Quid pro quo harassment occurs in scenarios in which an employee feels they must submit to sexual advances, innuendos, jokes, conversations or actions in order to advance or keep their job. Environmental sexual harassment occurs when the work environment becomes abusive or intolerable due to sexual advances, jokes, pornography, graffiti or other sexual material. Bottom line unwelcome sexual advances or conduct can constitute sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment can take place from employer to employee or vice-versa. It can cross gender lines (i.e. woman-to-man, man-to-woman, man-to-man, woman-to-woman) and also include third parties. While employers are expected to put in place sexual harassment policies and resolution procedures, they may also be liable for sexual harassment that occurs without their knowledge. Though in a perfect world any harassment victim would make it clear that advances were unwelcome and come forward to their company, some victims feel abused, unsafe and confused about their harassment and are afraid or unwilling to expose themselves.

An employer liability test exists in South Carolina sexual harassment cases. Essentially, employers must be able to prove that they took reasonable measures to prevent and address all sexual harassment in the workplace. They must also prove that an employee failed to take advantage of a company's anti-harassment policies or procedures. Thus, it is a good idea for victims to try company avenues before considering a sexual harassment case. However, every case is different and egregious cases or those that occurred without an employer's knowledge can potentially result in liability.

If you have been injured in South Carolina, even if you are not sure if you have a case, contact our South Carolina personal injury lawyers and we will be glad to answer all of your questions. We're located in Columbia, SC, but our firm handles cases across South Carolina including Charleston, Florence, Greenville, Spartanburg, Myrtle Beach, and Rock Hill. Toll free: 866-454-1200 or Locally: 803-454-1200