About Akin & Salaman
NEW YORK & NEW JERSEY SEXUAL HARASSMENT, HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT AND EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION ATTORNEYS In New York and New Jersey, it is unlawful for a manager, supervisor, an employer or business owner to Sexually Harass your (which is a form of gender discrimination) or to Discriminate against you because of your Race, Religion, Nation Origin (nationality), Color, Creed, Age, Disability, Sex or Sexual Orientation. In addition, you cannot be targeted simply because you asked for leave pursuant to the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or because you asked to be paid the Minimum Wage or Overtime Pay as required by law. The protection also extends to you if you have been targeted by your employer because you stood-up or spoke-out for a co-worker that was being harassed or discriminated. The attorneys at Akin & Salaman are dedicated to fighting injustice and protecting employees that have been the victims of sexual harassment and discrimination throughout New York and New Jersey What is Sexual Harassment in the Workplace? What is considered Discrimination at Work? What constitutes a Hostile Work Environment? These are three of the questions most asked by individuals in the workforce today. The Employment Attorneys at Akin & Salaman have represented and recovered millions over the past 22 years for individuals that have been victimized at work. Unfortunately, workplace sexual harassment, discrimination and the resulting hostile work environment run rampant in all forms of businesses across the United States. Although most employees don't understand the terms or know the employment laws in New York and New Jersey, every employee knows when they have been treated unfairly, when they have been mistreated or when they have been the victim of vindictive retaliation by the employer. SEXUAL HARASSMENT Sexual harassment at work is a form of discrimination based on sex (gender) that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on a federal level; the New York State Human Rights Law and the New York City Human Rights Law in a State/City level; and the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination in New Jersey. Sexual harassment can consist of many overt and subtle acts and words. Sexual Harassment can start with what appears to be innocent remarks or even compliments like, you look good, you're so sexy, and end up with rather harsh words like, I like your breast (t – – s), I want to touch you, you get me excited, etc. It is not illegal for someone that you work with to ask you out for dinner or on a date; many people do meet in this manner. However, individuals committing sexual harassment often violate individuals with words which appear to be compliments, but in reality, are unwelcomed advances of a sexual nature. At times, harassers will insult, demean and violate individuals with words or comments disguised as jokes or opinions. If you become the target of unwanted sexual advances, harsh words, insults, threats, demeaning comments about your sex / gender, your looks, your body parts or if you have been touched in a manner that makes you feel uncomfortable, you have been sexually harassed and should speak to an attorney immediately. In addition, if you received unfavorable reviews, if your job has been made more difficult, and/or if you have even terminated (fired from your job) or threatened with termination, then you have also been the victim of illegal retaliation in addition to illegal sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is not limited to words alone. Often, an individual can be the target of sexual harassment by being touched on in an offensive or sexual manner without their consent, even if the touching does not involve the harasser's hands (touching someone with an object, rubbing against an individual, standing too close as to violate your space, etc.). Some examples of unwelcomed touching are: slapping someone on the buttocks (claiming its a joke), massaging an individual without their consent, brushing against a woman's breast with hands/arms, touching someone's leg / knee / groin, kissing someone without their consent (lips or elsewhere), etc. Even a single act that is highly offensive may qualify as sexual harassment. QUID PRO QUO SEXUAL HARASSMENT There are other forms of sexual harassment, one of which is known as Quid Pro Quo meaning “give me something for something in return”. By way of example, a supervisor may tell a subordinate that he will give her a raise or a good review only if she goes out on a date with him. Some demands can be even more perverted like demanding oral sex or sexual intercourse for good working conditions, to receive a raise, not to be written-up, or to keep a job. Anytime a person's work or working condition is made contingent upon a sexual act, it is illegal and constitutes quid pro quo sexual harassment. Often times, individuals that are the victims of quid pro quo sexual harassment, work in positions that are significantly inferior to the harasser, need their job to provide
