Even The Odds In Your Fight For Employee Rights
Photo of American flag for Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labour Day

Sexual harassment is a problem for many federal employees

On Behalf of | Jun 16, 2020 | Sexual Harassment At Work

Regardless of the type of workplace, no Florida employee should be subjected to mistreatment, harassment or discrimination. Unfortunately, this is still a problem for many, including those who are employed in federal workplaces. A recent look at sexual harassment in federal offices found the problem to be prominent, and victims often do not get the recourse they deserve.

One issue regarding sexual harassment in the workplace concerns victims often do not report it. In many cases, this type of harassment is a power move, done with the intention of showing force, intimidation or instilling fear. A study found that one in seven people who work in federal workplaces experienced sexual harassment at some point between the years of 2016 and 2018. Those who are working on contract positions or as interns are especially vulnerable to harassment, and they may not feel they have a way to report the behavior.

The overall number of sexual harassment claims has been increasing over the last few years. This may mean that people feel more comfortable speaking up when mistreated, or reporting processes may have improved. Regardless, employers bear the responsibility of making it easy to report harassment in a confidential way, and they have an obligation to act quickly and decisively to address the issue.

Victims of sexual harassment do not have to stay silent. Florida federal employees have the right to move forward with a civil claim if they experienced mistreatment at work. Through a civil claim, it may be possible to claim compensation for emotional duress, mental trauma and other damages.