Sexual harassment refers to any unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors or any conduct of a sexual nature. It is unfortunate that many instances of sexual harassment in the workplace continue to remain unreported. This may be due to a fear of retaliation or confusion over what constitutes sexual harassment. There are laws and regulations relating to sexual harassment in Connecticut and employers must take steps to ensure compliance with the law.
The mission of Connecticut’s Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) is to use the law to end discrimination and create equal opportunity for everyone. If you believe you are a victim, you can visit the site which contains useful information.
Any employer with three or more employees must post adequate signage relating to sexual harassment in the workplace and if an employer has fifty or more employees, the employer must provide two hours or training and education to their employees. The employer must:
- Post that sexual harassment is prohibited by law, post the statutory definition of sexual harassment and post examples of different types of sexual harassment.
- Post the remedies available to the victim which includes back pay, cease and desist orders, compensatory damages and hiring, promotion or reinstatement.
- Post a notice that the harasser may be subject to civil or criminal penalties.
- Post a statement that Connecticut law requires a formal written complaint that is filed with the CHRO within 180 days of the date when the harassment occurred.
Employers can also be cited if they:
- Fail to take every complaint seriously or fail to take action after a formal complaint is received.
- Reach hasty conclusions, allow their prejudices to affect their decisions or focus on the harasser’s intent and not their behavior.
- Attempt to discourage an informal resolution of sexual harassment by inappropriate or thoughtless questioning of the complainant or overreact and take the wrong action.
- Fail to understand confidentiality requirements.
- Fail to bring closure to the complaint and the complainant.
- Fail to protect the complainant against retaliation.
- Fail to make the company’s sexual harassment policy known to every employee.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of sexual harassment in the workplace, the skilled and knowledgeable attorneys at Ganim Injury Lawyers can help you. We have years of experience and we know how to help you get the compensation you need and deserve. Call us to discuss your situation.