Title VII of the CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF THE FEDERAL LAW (which is the main law prohibiting sexual harassment) As Amended –

“Protects employees, job applicants from employment discrimination based on their race, color, sex, religion and national origin along with later sexual orientation.”

But despite this, there are numerous small business firms in which its workers (more so the females) encounter unwelcome sexual advances of conduct on the job. And such vile and utterly unprofessional behavior creates a rather hostile, intimidating and offensive working environment for the exploited employees to work.

The Many UGLY FACES of Sexual Harassment

As every best small business lawyer will tell you –“Workplace sexual harassment can occur in many forms.”

And here are some of the most commonly experienced ones at SME (Small-to-Medium) workplaces.

• A male worker/employee making belittling remarks about a fellow female co-worker’s skirt
• An employee dispatching an email to another co-worker in an explicit, suggestive and vile language
• The chief supervisor inferring that to get a raise, a co-worker needs to engage with him sexually
• The boss of the company referring to his secretary (or any other female worker) in a sexy and professionally demeaning manner
• Employees hanging out in the cafeteria or lobby in a group and passing sexually explicit comments or mockery to a female co-worker
• A make employee grouping another female co-worker with intentions of sexual favours or engagement
• The cashier pinching and fondling a female co-worker explicitly against her own will

Always remember, the sexual harasser can be the exploited employee’s supervisor, manager, HOD or even a fellow co-worker. Along with that, sexual harassment can even happen from a non-employee in the form of a customer, client or 3^rd party vendor- depending on the situation!

Whoever be the harasser and whatever be the reason- it goes without saying that sexual harassment (of any kind) is an unwanted liability which no small-scale business firm wants to bear. It hampers the harassed person’s peace of mind, their sense of security and limits their ability and self-confidence to perform to the best of their ability.

AND THAT’S WHY IT SHOULD NEVER BE CONSIDERED TOLERABLE…!

Sexual Harassment Prevention Measures for Small Businesses

In the words of revered, small business lawyers – ‘Preventing sexual harassment is somewhat easy and straightforward.’

And here are some measures to implement into a small scale business set-up.

• Having a clear sexual harassment policy in place which clearly defines this heinous act and even explains the legal consequences clearly for all-and-sundry
• Providing appropriate sexual harassment training to employees once every year to help them realise those commonly occurring situations which they though normal actually falls into the category of sexual harassment
• Constantly monitoring the actions of employees and communicating with them about maintaining the work environment, un-exploitative, congenial and harassment-free for everyone
• Giving confidence to each employee to come forth and tell everything without worrying and assuring them about no career-complications- be it in their present position as well as for the opportunities in the future.
• Taking all complaints seriously and conducting a thorough investigation to resolve the issue as quickly as feasible

Also, Enlist Help From The Best Small Business Lawyer To Handle All Sexual Harassment Claims Properly!

Sexual harassment is a common plague in most modern-day workplaces. And its consequential legal allegations can have a profound impact on that respective firm.

It should never be ignored. It should never be taken lightly. And, truth be told, it is something no dignified employee should ever have to experience.

To mitigate or prevent such vile acts of exploitation completely, unhesitantly take help from a notable small business lawyer. They will assist you with the investigation and ensure JUSTICE IS SERVED at the end of the day!