New York Sexual Harassment Laws

Sexual Harassment Lawyers Explaining Your Employee Rights Under the Law

As a working man or woman, you probably know your profession pretty well. At the Arcé Law Group – we know the law. We focus our practice entirely in employment law, with a direct focus in workplace sexual harassment and discrimination. Our dedicated New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania attorneys are committed to offering clients the information they need to know to relieve the stress and confusion surrounding the legal process of filing a sexual harassment claim.

At the Arcé Law Group, our employment law attorneys use our years of experience and deep knowledge of federal, state, and municipal laws to protect your rights as an NY, NJ or PA employee. Have you been sexually harassed at work? Give us a call today to learn about your legal rights. Our sexual harassment lawyers provide top legal representation for employees throughout New Jersey including Newark, Jersey City, and Princeton and the surrounding areas. We also have a legal office in New York City serving NYC employees in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, & Staten Island. We also serve employees in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Washington D.C .

NJ, PA & NY Sexual Harassment Laws: the Basics

No matter where you live in the United States, you covered by federal laws against harassment or discrimination. These statutes cover American companies with 15 or more employees. Different rules apply to government employees and military service members.

Local and state laws against workplace discrimination also help protect workers. New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania all have specific statutes in place to prevent and punish workplace harassment. Your sexual harassment lawyer at the Arcé Law Group can help you determine which court to file your claim in — state, municipal, or federal court. Usually starting your claim by filing a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), our employment law attorneys work with you to see your case to the end.

The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination | NJLAD

If you work in New Jersey, you are covered by the state’s Law Against Discrimination (LAD). This discrimination law covers all types of workplace discriminatory acts, including being treated unfairly based on your age, race, religion, background, and more. Although it does not expressly define sexual harassment in the statute, the NJLAD has been interpreted consistently with federal laws. Under the federal law, unwelcome and coercive sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature is prohibited.

New Jersey Sexual Harassment Case Law

Case law has set important precedents for sexual harassment victims, particularly since the New Jersey statutes are a little vague. This means that certain landmark cases paved the way for future cases, giving victims some very important rights.

Here are a few important precedents set through case law: The Court specifically held that a plaintiff in a sexual harassment action must demonstrate that the “complained of conduct :

• would not have occurred but for the employee’s gender;
• It was severe or pervasive enough to make a reasonable woman believe that the conditions of employment are altered and the working environment is hostile or abusive.”
• Sexual harassment need not be sexual in nature. If someone made offensive comments about your sex, or men or women in general, it could be harassment.
• Your employer may be held liable for a supervisor’s conduct in creating a hostile work environment when acting either within or outside the scope of his or her employment.
• When a supervisor has subjected an employee to sexual harassment, the employer is strictly liable for equitable relief. Equitable damages include back-pay, promotions, and reinstatement to your former position if fired.

Don’t let confusing laws discourage you from contacting a New Jersey sexual harassment lawyer. Our Jersey City, Newark, and Princeton lawyers explain your rights in plain language. We make the information easy to understand and digest.