New Jersey Sexual Harassment Attorneys

What is Considered Sexual Harassment in New Jersey and New York?

Under federal law, in addition to the New York City and New Jersey law Against Discrimination (LAD), sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual relations or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. You can be harassed by a member of the opposite sex or of the same sex. Bosses, direct reports, colleagues, maintenance workers, customers, and any person at your place of employment can sexually harass you. As long as the behavior is unwelcome, and considered “severe or pervasive,” you may have a claim for sexual harassment in New Jersey.

Sexual harassment is grouped under two main categories:

• Quid pro quo sexual harassment — when a condition of your employment is contingent on the acceptance or rejection of sexual advances, this is considered quid pro quo sexual harassment. In other words, you may be hired, promoted, or offered benefits in exchange for sexual favors. Alternatively, you face being fired, demoted, or denied benefits for rejecting sexual advances.
• Hostile work environment — when jokes, comments, images, emails, avatars, text messages, social media site posts (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) or other behaviors of a sexual behavior creates an offensive working atmosphere, this may be considered a hostile work environment. If you are made to feel intimidated or fearful at work due to sexual conduct, you could be a victim.

Unsure if you have a case? Contact a New Jersey sexual harassment attorney at The Arcé Law Group today for a free case evaluation.

Examples of New Jersey & New York Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment wears many faces. It disrupts work environments and causes distress to employees in many forms. While many of our clients are female, men are tormented by sexual harassment as well and we encourage them to come forward. Some common examples include:

• Your boss demanded sexual favors in exchange for promotion
• You were fired for reporting sexual harassment
• You have been repeatedly asked out for dates
• You were physically assaulted or touched against your will
• You were shown pornographic images
• You were sent sexually suggestive emails and text messages
• Your boss posted something sexual about you on a social media site
• Your co-worker asked about your sexual history
• Your supervisor made offensive comments about your sexual identity

Employment sexual harassment extends to other employees, not just the target of the harassment. So, if you were affected by sexual harassment in your office but you were not the direct target, you still may have a valid claim.