New Jersey Sexual Harassment Lawyers

When someone at work thinks they can use sexual advances and remarks to intimidate or threaten you, they must be stopped. Your job site should be a safe place. If someone is sexually harassing you at work, you can fight back. You may be scared. You may not feel like you have a voice. But that’s where we come in. Our employment attorneys are here to help. Victims of workplace sexual harassment may be eligible for compensation under the law – and a chance to rival your harasser.

At Aiello Harris Abate, Law Group PC, we understand you are going through a difficult time. Sexual harassment is humiliating and emotionally scarring to the victim. Our compassionate NJ lawyers are on your side. We seek to make the legal process as painless as possible while achieving optimal results.

Learn more about sexual harassment in New Jersey

Sexual harassment includes many unwanted behaviors of a sexual nature. From unwelcome sexual advances to assault, sexual harassment encompasses a wide range of inappropriate behaviors.

As a general rule, you are protected by two anti-harassment laws in the workplace in New Jersey. First, the federal law is Title VII of the 1964 Civil Right Act, which prohibits discrimination at work. Sexual harassment is considered a form of sex-based discrimination. A state discrimination law, the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD), also makes workplace sexual harassment illegal. Under both laws, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages and emotional distress, and maybe legal fees and punitive damages if applicable.

If you have been sexually harassed at work, you can file a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), or a lawsuit in federal or state court.

The two types of sexual harassment in New Jersey

The law recognizes these two categories of sexual harassment:

Hostile work environment

A hostile work environment is one that threatens or intimidates you, interfering with your work performance. In terms of sexual harassment, a hostile work environment is usually created by the unwelcome sexual conduct by your co-workers. It may include inappropriate jokes, pictures, comments, questions about your sexual history, repeated requests for dates, sexual gift-giving, sexist remarks, and more. Generally, it must be a pattern of harassment over a period of time, not a one- or –two-time incident.

Your employer is liable for a hostile work environment if they knew about the harassment and did not take adequate measures to stop it.

Quid pro quo

Quid pro quo harassment occurs when you face a tangible work action for submitting to or refusing a sexual advance. You might have been promised a job, raise, or promotion in exchange for sexual favors. Or, you might have been fired or threatened with termination, a demotion, or pay decrease for not giving into a sexual advance.

Quid pro quo harassment typically occurs between a subordinate and supervisor. Employers are strictly liable for this type of harassment.

Contact our New Jersey sexual harassment lawyers today

If you were the victim of sexual harassment, don’t wait to speak with an employment attorney at Aiello, Harris, Abate. We advocate for victims across New Jersey. We offer free initial consultations to new clients. Give us a call today at (908) 561-5577  or contact us online to learn more about your rights. We will come to you or you can schedule an appointment at one of our offices in Woodbridge, Watchung or Lyndhurst NJ.