Sexual Harassment Against Employees at Off-Site Company Events
Experienced Sexual Harassment Lawyers Defending Employees Against Sexual Harassment at Off-Site Company Events
Company parties, picnics, and other off-site company events are work events. Therefore, the laws prohibiting workplace sexual harassment against employees at work still apply. Federal and state laws prohibit any workplace sexual harassment, including harassment occurring at off-site company events, such as events at restaurants, bars, or other off-site locations. You might not think you have a sexual harassment claim if the incident took place off-site or after-hours. However, your employer might still be responsible in a court of law.
What Are Some Examples of Sexual Harassment at Off-site Company Events?
Off-site sexual harassment may occur more often because it is a more casual environment. People may have a few drinks and feel less inhibited, and act a bit less professional. However, laws still prohibit any form of sexual harassment, including off-site sexual harassment. Some examples of off-site sexual harassment may include the following:
1. You are at the company holiday party at a local brewery. You and your coworker have had a lot to drink. You make jokes with one another and get a little flirty. However, you stop your coworker and remind him that you are in a relationship.
Your coworker does not stop flirting with you and finally grabs you for a kiss. You slap him to get away.
You report the incident the next day. Your employer suspends you for three days for slapping him. Your coworker does not get any punishment.
He gets off the call with you. The next day, you receive an email that you were removed from a lucrative project and transferred to another department for which you are not qualified.
3. You and your client go to lunch to discuss a new business idea. Your client gets two glasses of wine. You politely deny the drink. Your client tells you to enjoy yourself.
She makes it very clear that if you want her business to continue, you need to have a few drinks and see “where you end up.” When your boss hears of this request, he advises you to do as she says since she is one of the firm’s best clients.
In some instances, sexual harassment has been occurring during work hours already and the harasser uses a holiday party to escalate the harassment. So, when meeting with a sexual harassment lawyer, be sure to include all circumstances under which harassment occurred.
Call us at 800-807-2209 to schedule a free consultation about your sexual harassment at off-site company event claims. Our lawyers handle all employment law matters for employees in New York City, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Miami, and Los Angeles.
When does offensive behavior constitute sexual harassment?
A single incident that happened at the company won’t be considered “pervasive.” But, if you have been harassed over a period of time at work and the harassment continues at the company gathering, the conduct could be included in a sexual harassment claim.
Can Sexual Harassment at Off-site Company Events Occur as Online Sexual Harassment?
Online sexual harassment occurs when you receive unwanted sexual comments or sexual advances through email, text messages, social media, or online meeting spaces. You may be off-site when working online. Therefore, sexual harassment at off-site company events can also occur as online sexual harassment.
Sexual harassment occurs when an employer or job applicant is subjected to unwelcome sexual comments, sexual advances, or physical contact. When at work, it can take the form of owner sexual harassment, CEO sexual harassment, supervisor sexual harassment, manager sexual harassment, coworker sexual harassment, and non-employee sexual harassment.
However, it can also occur at events that take place off company property. Company-sponsored events, such as company lunches, networking events, holiday parties, and picnics, are considered off-site company events. Unfortunately, alcohol decreases inhibitions, and carelessness also provides a breeding ground for sexual harassment. Both alcohol and carelessness flow freely at off-site company events. When you experience sexual harassment at one of these types of events, your employer has a responsibility to stop it. Otherwise, they are violating federal and state sexual harassment laws.
Your employer must prevent and punish any form of workplace sexual harassment. His duties extend to off-site company events. Therefore, you can report any off-site sexual harassment to your employer to get relief.
However, suppose your employer ignores your complaint (or you get fired from work in an act of wrongful termination and face other forms of retaliation as a result). In that case, you have the right to file a federal or state lawsuit against your employer for sexual harassment.
To learn more about your rights, contact a compassionate sexual harassment lawyer. They will help you determine the laws best suited for your sexual harassment at off-site work events lawsuit.
Depending on whether you choose to file your claim under federal or state laws, you may have a statute of limitations of 180 days to several years. Federal laws require you to file your charge within 180 days of the incident (300 days in New York City, Philadelphia, Miami, Los Angeles, and New Jersey).
If you wish to file your claim under state law, you should discuss your options with a qualified sexual harassment lawyer in your state. Our lawyers handle all sexual harassment law matters for employees in New York City, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Miami, and Los Angeles.
Many times, employers do not wish to go through a lengthy trial process any more than you do. Therefore, they may work to negotiate a fair settlement early in the legal process. The case may settle in a few months to just under a year.
However, if your employer refuses to settle the claim early, your case may take several years to go through the legal process and reach a settlement or receive a court judgment.
As a victim of sexual harassment, whether in the office or off-site, you are entitled to compensation. You have the right to seek financial remedies to replace lost wages or compensate you for pain and suffering and emotional distress. You also have the right to ask for your job back and changes to company policies to eliminate sexual harassment at off-site company events in the future.
When you experience sexual harassment at an off-site company event, you have a right to seek justice. You need a sexual harassment attorney who can help you file your complaint under the law best suited for your claim. You deserve a sexual harassment lawyer who will fight for you and your rights through settlement negotiations and the legal process.
A compassionate sexual harassment lawyer will advocate for your rights and help you receive a fair and just outcome in the process.
Take legal action against your Employer
Sexual harassment in the workplace is illegal, whether in the office or at a company-sponsored event. The sexual harassment lawyers at the Derek Smith Law Group will uphold your legal protections against this unlawful behavior.
If you are the victim of sexual harassment at an off-site work event, the team of experienced sexual harassment attorneys at the Derek Smith Law Group in New York City, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Miami, and Los Angeles can help.
We help you obtain full and fair compensation — and we don’t get paid unless you win.
Different Types of Sexual Harassment Cases We Handle:
- Hostile Work Environment
- Quid Pro Quo
- Unwelcome Request For Sex
- Sexism in the Workplace
- Sexual Bribery
- Sexual Gift-Giving at Work
- Sexual Harassment by a Supervisor
- Workplace Sexual Coercion
- Non-Employee Sexual Harassment
- Gay and Lesbian Sexual Harassment
- Stalking in the Workplace
- Criminal Sexual Conduct
- Sexual Joking
- Co-Worker Sexual Harassment
- Sexual Orientation Harassment
- Unwanted Physical Contact
- Same-Sex Sexual Harassment