In a sexual harassment case, does it matter if it is a supervisor versus a co-worker who is harassing me?

 

Yes, the employer may automatically be liable if a supervisor’s harassment of an employee causes an adverse action such as termination, lost wages, or a suspension.

If a supervisor creates a hostile work environment for an employee (with no adverse action like being fired), then the employer can prevail only if it can prove:

• it reasonably tried to prevent and promptly correct the harassing behavior; and
• the employee unreasonably failed to take advantage of any preventive or corrective opportunities offered by the employer, such as reporting the harassment to the employer.

If a non-supervisory employee harasses another employee, then the employer will be liable for the harassment if the employer knew, or should have known, about the hostile work environment and failed to promptly correct it.

Top-Rated Sexual Harassment Attorneys

U.S. News and Best Lawyers® have named Zuckerman Law a Tier 1 firm in Litigation – Labor and Employment in the Washington DC metropolitan area.  Contact us today to find out how we can help you.  

To schedule a preliminary consultation, click here or call us at (202) 262-8959.

Download our free Sexual Harassment Survival Guide for Employees.

 

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