Ask a Sexual Harassment Lawyer: Will I Lose Hours at My Job?

Sexual harassment in the workplace is a distinctly hostile act that can make a difficult for employees to feel safe. One of the consequences of refusing sexual overtures in the workplace may be a loss of wages or hours. You will need to speak with a sexual harassment lawyer to learn more about your case.

Ask a Sexual Harassment Lawyer: Will I Lose Hours at My Job?

Many people who experience sexual harassment in the workplace are often pressured into sexual situations under the threat that not submitting will result in lost hours or even termination. However, such actions are illegal on a state and federal level. You should not lose hours at your job if you refuse sexual advances.

That said, if you do lose hours or if you are terminated because you refuse sexual advances in the workplace, you have a right to sue your employer. Suing an employer over sexual harassment discrimination is protected under the Missouri Human Rights Act. You will need to work with a sexual harassment lawyer to go over the details of your case is that you can seek justice.

Can Employers Ever Reduce Working Hours or Wages?

Employers can only reduce employee wages under certain situations. For example, under Missouri state law, employers may only reduce an employee’s wages after giving the employee a 30-day advanced notice of the wage reduction.

Reducing an employee’s wages may be associated with verifiable poor job performance. Reducing your wages or your hours should never be the result of discrimination or sexual harassment. Employers that violate this law will have financial penalties and may be sued by employees in court.

Employee Protections Against Sexual Harassment

Employees have special rights that can protect them from predatory employers. For example, under both the Missouri Commission on Humans Rights and the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission, there are protections for employees who report workplace sexual harassment.

Employees who file formal complaints against employers for sexual harassment are protected from retaliation, which means that the employer is not legally allowed to terminate the employee, reduce wages, or reduce the employee’s benefits without just cause.

What Does Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Look Like?

Sexual harassment is a type of gender-based discrimination that predominantly affects women in the workplace. Sexual harassment can include explicit verbal, written, and physical actions.

When you want to work with Kansas City workplace sexual harassment attorneys, the details of your case will be very important. For sexual harassment claims in Missouri, your case must meet certain requirements. Some of these requirements include conditions of employment (also known as quid pro quo) and hostile workplace conditions.

Quid Pro Quo

Sexual harassment as a condition of employment occurs when an individual is exposed to sexually explicit behavior as a term of the employment. For example, if an employer makes sexual favors a requirement to remain employed, this qualifies as sexual harassment.

Quid pro quo may also include employment decisions. For example, if an employer makes sexual overtures the basis of a promotion, this can be considered sexual harassment.

Hostile Working Environment

Hostile workplace conditions generally refer to continued sexual harassment or other inappropriate conduct that creates a hostile, offensive, or toxic working environment. In many situations, this will mean the victim of sexual harassment is continually exposed to explicit sexual behavior from one or more employees or their employer.

Can Sexual Harassment Happen to Men?

Although workplace sexual harassment is more commonly experienced by women, it is still possible for men to experience sexual harassment in the workplace. If the individual harassing you is your employer or an employee who holds a higher position than you, then regardless of gender, you may be experiencing harassment.

If you aren’t sure you are a victim of sexual harassment, then you may want to speak with a lawyer about your experiences. A lawyer will be able to assess if your situation qualifies for a sexual harassment lawsuit.

How Can You Sue Your Employer?

When you are a victim of sexual harassment in the workplace and you want to seek justice, you first need to contact a lawyer who specializes in Missouri workplace law. A lawyer will help you file a complaint with the Missouri Commission on Humans Rights, which will examine the details of your complaint. If the Missouri Commission on Humans Rights issues an action that allows you to file a lawsuit, you will be able to sue your employer.

Under both state and federal law, your employer is not allowed to reduce your working hours or your wages if you refuse sexual advances in the workplace. If you are a victim of sexual harassment, you should speak with a lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights as an employee, shield yourself from retaliation from your employer, and file a complaint with the appropriate administrative agency.