Sexual Harassment in the workplace
Sexual harassment is a form of gender discrimination that interferes with an employee’s job performance, and job satisfaction, or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.
Some employees may believe that sexual harassment at work is simply a matter of flirting. However, sexual harassment is not acceptable behaviour in the workplace and should be reported immediately.
Inappropriate behaviour at work can be:
- Inappropriate sexual conduct or jokes, including through text, email and social media
- inappropriate touching, patting, kissing or pinching
- Stalking, catcalling, overly personal questions about your sex life
- If you say no to your boss’s advances, he may threaten to overlook you for promotion.
If you are experiencing sexual harassment at work you should first report the incident to a supervisor, manager or human resources professional. By law, your employer must try to stop the harassment and put a stop to it immediately.
Ask for the sexual harassment policy:
Sexual harassment is a health and safety issue. All employers should have a written policy statement advising employees that sexual harassment is against the law and will not be tolerated. The policy should give examples of what constitutes sexual harassment and should point out that appropriate measures will be taken against anyone who offends.
Policy statements should set out an employee’s right (under both the Human Rights Act and the Employment Relations Act) to complain about sexual harassment, along with initial in-house procedures to follow if a complaint is made.
If you report sexual harassment and it’s not stopped you can take a personal grievance.
Sexual Harassment is misconduct
Sexual harassment at work should not be tolerated. If an employer fails to take adequate steps to prevent sexual harassment, the employer may face legal action.
You will be expected to have kept records of the incidents and to have *told someone else at your workplace, preferably management.
You may raise a personal grievance if your employer fails to respond to your complaints (*or if your employer is the person who is harassing you). We can help you at the outset to try and resolve your problem and we can help you with your grievance and subsequent progress towards a solution.
External resources:
Worksafe’s NZ Sexual harassment advice for workers: https://worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/sexual-harassment/advice-for-workers/
Me Too NZ https://metoonz.co.nz/
Human Rights Commission https://www.hrc.co.nz/
Read reviews from people just like you who we have helped with their employment disputes.
Kam never wavered in her outstanding service.
Right from the first phone call Kam put me at ease. She took pages of information and arranged it in a clear, easy to understand and compact format.
She took on the 2 lawyers my employers retained and never wavered once.
Without Kam’s expertise I would not have received the final outcome.
Totally recommend Kam for outstanding service.
Jenifer is knowledgeable, compassionate and proactive.
I recently had the need to engage with Jenifer Silva from Work Law NZ for assistance with an employment issue, and I cannot praise her enough for the outstanding support provided.
From the moment I reached out, Jenifer was not only professional and highly knowledgeable, but also incredibly compassionate and understanding of the horrible employment situation I found myself in.
Jenifer’s approach to resolving my employment issue was meticulous and very proactive. Jenifer ensured I was informed and aware of every step along the way. I was very impressed with her willingness to go the extra mile to safeguard my interests and to ensure an optimum and timely outcome.
I was not in a great space through this ordeal and it was comforting to find someone who not only excels in their field but also truly cares about people.
Thankfully the issue was resolved to my complete satisfaction all thanks to Jenifer’s skill and experience and her guidance along the way. I wholeheartedly recommend Jenifer Silva and the team at Work Law NZ to anyone seeking employment related legal guidance coupled with the human element.
The commitment to people’s well-being and finding a fair outcome within a short time frame is representative of the service I received. It was impressive and empathetic.
Sandy and the Work Law team are true professionals.
I recently had the opportunity to engage with Sandy Ward from Work Law NZ for assistance with a sensitive employment issue, and I cannot praise her enough for the outstanding support she provided. From the moment I reached out, Sandy was not only professional and highly knowledgeable, but also incredibly compassionate and understanding of my situation. Navigating employment issues can be daunting, but Sandy’s expertise and reassurance made a significant difference. Sandy’s approach to resolving my employment issue was nothing short of meticulous. She was thorough in her research, strategic in her thinking, and clear in her communication, ensuring I was informed and comfortable every step of the way. Her dedication was evident in her prompt responses and her willingness to go the extra mile to safeguard my interests. Most importantly, Sandy’s empathy stood out in every interaction. She acknowledged the emotional complexities of my case and offered the perfect blend of legal and moral support. It’s rare to find someone who not only excels in their field but also truly cares about their clients as individuals. Thanks to Sandy’s exceptional care, the issue was resolved to my complete satisfaction. I wholeheartedly recommend Sandy Ward and the team at Work Law NZ to anyone seeking expert legal guidance coupled with a personal touch that is all too rare in the industry. Their commitment to client well-being and justice is not just a statement but a demonstrated hallmark of their service.
CONTACT US FOR A FREE CASE EVALUATION
LET’S GET LEGAL
Statistics prove that legal representation improves your chance of a successful outcome. Don’t hesitate, you have nothing to lose by having a free chat with one of our experts.
During Covid-19, while businesses are closed, please contact us via our webform. We will call or email you back between 9-5 weekdays.