
One of the worst, but most common, forms of unlawful sexual harassment occurs when the harassment is committed by a supervisor or manager. When a supervisor makes sexual advances or propositions an employee for sex, the victim is likely to feel powerless to resist and more reluctant to report the behavior because she is afraid that she will not be believed or that she will lose her job. Because sexual harassment by a supervisor often goes unreported, we have seen situations where the same supervisor abused multiple employees over a lengthy period of time before someone finally took action to stop the abuse.
Because sexual harassment committed by a supervisor is so troublesome, the Massachusetts courts have decided to hold an employer strictly liable for any sexual harassment committed by a manager or other person with supervisory authority, even if the employer did not know about the conduct. An employer is legally responsible for the actions of its managers because the employer made the decision to give the manager authority over subordinates, and the employer is therefore liable for the manager’s conduct.
When an employee is being sexually harassed by a supervisor, we understand that it takes courage to make a complaint. At Sankey Law Offices, we have the experience and commitment to help you through this difficult time and to protect you from any retaliation. You should not suffer financially or emotionally because of sexual harassment in your job.
If you are the victim of sexual harassment by a manager or supervisor, contact Sankey Law Offices. We will protect your rights and pursue your claim before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) and in court if necessary. 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.