Hostile Work Environment Lawyer in Massachusetts

The creation of a hostile work environment due to sexual harassment is against the law. Under Massachusetts law, “hostile work environment” sexual harassment is defined as “sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when such advances, requests or conduct have the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance by creating an intimidating, hostile, humiliating or sexually offensive work environment.”

Some examples of unwanted sexual advances may include:

• Rude or offensive sexual gestures
• Lewd jokes or sexual anecdotes
• Unwelcome calls, letters or emails of a sexual nature
• Questions about past sexual history
• Inappropriate touching or physical contact
• Comments about a person’s clothing, appearance or body parts

When these types of sexual advances occur in the workplace, a hostile work environment is created which affects the victim’s ability to work. We know that victims sometimes hesitate to report sexual advances because they are afraid that they will not be believed or that they will lose their job. However, the sexual advances generally do not stop unless the victim takes some action, and she should not have to quit her job to avoid being abused. Confronting unwanted sexual advances in the workplace is a serious matter, and often requires the assistance of an attorney to assist the victim in reporting the conduct and to obtain compensation for the damages that she has suffered.

If you are being victimized by sexual harassment in the workplace, we encourage you to consult with an attorney as soon as possible. At Sankey Law Offices, we are ready to assist you in reporting the harassment and to stand with you during any investigation into the allegations. We will protect you from retaliation and will work to obtain compensation for any damages and emotional distress that you have suffered. If appropriate, we can also help you obtain a harassment prevention order from the courts to keep the perpetrator away from you.

If you are the victim of unwelcome sexual advances in the workplace, please contact an attorney at Sankey Law Offices to discuss how we can help. In most cases, we are willing to work on a contingency fee basis, with no charge for our legal services unless you receive compensation for your losses.