Unfortunately, sexual harassment is common in Arizona and across the United States. Recently, two men at Vice Media were placed on leave following sexual misconduct allegations. A special committee with the company is reviewing the allegations.
In 2016, a former employee of Vice claimed that she was fired after refusing to have an intimate relationship with one of the men placed on leave. The company paid a $135,000 settlement to the woman.
Another employee claimed that in 2012, a man told her at a company holiday party that he wanted to have sex with her. A different employee stated that in 2014, the same man pulled her onto his lap at a bar. After she reported the incident to the company’s human resources department, she felt she was treated differently and eventually left the company. Employees with the company have voiced their disappointment with the way the allegations were handled and are calling for changes, such as the addition of an all-female advisory board.
Victims of workplace harassment may be able to file a lawsuit against their current or former employer. Sexual harassment may include unwanted sexual advances, lewd comments, and inappropriate or offensive jokes. In some cases, sexual harassment may also include wrongful termination or denial of advancement opportunities. If an employee felt they were forced to quit because of an intolerable working situation, this may be considered “constructive termination.”
Speaking to an attorney may be helpful for employees who have experienced sexual harassment at work. An attorney may be able to advise clients of what steps they should take first, such as reporting the situation to their human resources department and filing a complaint with the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission. An attorney may also be able to advise clients how they should document proof of their claim. For example, in some states, it is illegal to record other parties without their consent while it may be legal in other states if the person who is making the recording is a party to the conversation.