New York City Sexual Harassment Lawyers

As women have continued to enter and advance in the workplace, they have too often been subjected to sexual harassment in the workplace. This may include vulgar and profane remarks directed towards the employee, inappropriate and unwanted touching or other lewd conduct, or demands from a boss for sexual favors as a condition for continued employment, raises, or bonuses. All of this conduct constitutes sexual harassment, and is unlawful under Federal, state, and local law. As an employee, you are entitled to a workplace free of sexual harassment. Cary Kane's attorneys represent employees who are facing or who have faced sexual harassment.

Governing Laws

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination "based on sex." Courts have held that Title VII prohibits subjecting an employee to sexual harassment in the workplace. The New York State Human Rights Law and the New York City Human Rights Law also contain similar provisions concerning sexual harassment. If you'd like to understand how any or all of these laws would apply to your situation, contact a New York City sexual harassment lawyer at Cary Kane LLP.

Types of Sexual Harassment

There are two basic forms of sexual harassment. The first is "quid pro quo" sexual harassment, i.e., someone in a position of authority either offers advancement for sexual favors or threatens the loss of employment for failure to provide sexual favors or both.

The second type of sexual harassment is "hostile work environment." This occurs when employees are subjected to unwanted conduct, innuendos or advances by either supervisors or coworkers. An employer is required to take appropriate action to prevent and correct such behavior.

Who Can Harass and be Harassed

Although sexual harassment is most commonly directed toward women, in some cases it is directed towards men. So long as the harassment in question is "based on sex," it is unlawful. In addition, some employees may experience discrimination based on their sexual orientation. Laws covering employers in New York State and New York City prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, and therefore prohibit sexual harassment based on sexual orientation.

Sexual harassment is a problem that needs to be dealt with aggressively. If you are a victim of this type of abuse, contact a New York City sexual harassment lawyer at Cary Kane, LLP immediately.