Columbia SC Sexual Harassment Lawyers

What Is Sexual Harassment?

It can change lives for South Carolina employers and employees. Its mental and physical ramifications can have long-term effects. It's sexual harassment, and South Carolina employers and employees need to know the basics in order to ensure a safe workplace for all.

Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, sexual harassment is defined as a discriminatory practice involving unwelcome sexual advances. Both women and men may fall victim to sexual harassment, and in the workplace harassment can take place between boss and subordinate, equal colleagues, and individuals in third-party or non-employee positions. A victim does not need to be of the opposite sex for sexual advances to constitute harassment.

In order to pass muster as sexual harassment, conduct must be unwelcome. Welcome sexual advances are NOT sexual harassment; however, in order to avoid South Carolina sexual harassment claims, employers and employees are advised to follow strict procedures in their dealings with sexual matters. An employee can bring a sexual harassment lawsuit if he or she can prove that the behavior was discriminatory, even if they have no adverse job consequences due to the harassment.

Sexual harassment in South Carolina can take on many forms. These include unwelcome touching, name-calling, and "sexualized environments" that contain pornography, obscenities or sexual jokes. South Carolina employers should protect themselves by instituting a "zero tolerance" policy towards harassing behavior that limits the ways in which employees can address sexual issues; such policies do not totally prevent lawsuits, since employers may be held liable for harassment they are unaware of. However, a strict sexual harassment policy will go far in assuring employers and employees that sexual discrimination is intolerable in any South Carolina workplace.

If you've been sexually harassed, you have a number of options. You may file a complaint with your employer, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission, your labor union, or even pursue a civil or criminal lawsuit. Due to the complex issues surrounding South Carolina sexual harassment law, it's a good idea to seek competent legal counsel before you take your next step. Your South Carolina sexual harassment lawyer can help assess your potential claim, file it in state or federal court, and negotiate successful settlement or argue your case in court.

The lawyers at Louthian Law Firm know that it can be difficult to come forward with claims of sexual harassment. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced, aggressive South Carolina sexual harassment attorney on your side. Think you have a valid sexual harassment claim? Contact Louthian Law Firm today for a free consultation. It’s completely confidential and without obligation.

South Carolina Sexual Harassment Lawyer Disclaimer: The sexual harassment, sex discrimination, sexual abuse, or other legal personal injury information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice, nor the formation of a lawyer or attorney client relationship. Further communication with our attorneys through the website and email may not be considered as confidential or privileged. Any results set forth herein are based upon the facts of that particular case and do not represent a promise or guarantee. Please contact a South Carolina sexual harassment lawyer at the Louthian Law Firm, P.A. for a consultation on your particular sexual harassment matter. This web site is not intended to solicit clients for matters outside of the state of South Carolina.