Reporting Harassment Is a Protected Activity Under Title VII
If you report sexual harassment in the workplace, it is unlawful for your employer to fire you. However, this does happen. It’s called retaliation, and unfortunately it’s fairly common.
In 2020, retaliation was the most common reason people filed discrimination claims with the EEOC.
Here’s an overview of your rights under the law, and what to do if your employer unlawfully fires you for reporting sexual harassment.
What Is Sexual Harassment?
Sexual harassment can be overt or subtle. Some people don’t realize that the behavior they’re dealing with in the workplace is sexual harassment, or that it’s unlawful.
Some examples of sexual harassment include:
• Requests for dates or sexual favors
• Unwanted advances, unwanted touching and physical assault
• Negative comments about a group based on their gender or sexual orientation
• Implicitly or explicitly requiring sexual favors for workplace advancement
• Verbal harassment, including jokes about sex acts
• Bringing up inappropriate topics at work such as sex acts or sexual fantasies
• Asking personal questions about your sex life
• Sexually explicit emails, photos, or text messages
Protected Activities Under the Law
Sexual harassment is a type of discrimination prohibited under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Reporting it is a protected activity that you should be allowed to do without fear of retaliation.
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