One of the reasons why many people do not come forward about sexual harassment is they feel nobody will believe them or they will end up in a situation where it is their word against the harasser's word. The key to avoiding this dilemma is to gather evidence. There...
How does the law define whistleblower?
The concept of a whistleblower can be a bit confusing. Whistleblowers exist in business and government. They involve an employee who reports something about an employer. Typically, a whistleblower is reporting illegal activity or actions by the employer that could put...
Can remote workers be victims of sexual harassment?
If you have worked from home over the past couple of years, you certainly are not alone. In fact, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, roughly 18% of American workers claimed to work remotely in 2021. Working from home has its benefits and drawbacks, of course. Even...
Protecting yourself from retaliation after blowing the whistle
Reporting illegal or discriminatory activity in the workplace requires a lot of courage. Using caution in selecting a strategy can help you protect your career from collateral damage. If people find out that you exposed the truth, they might retaliate against you....
Can an offensive joke be sexual harassment?
The law strives to help ensure that you have a safe work environment. It creates guidelines to ensure your physical safety but also to protect you against harassment that could create a mentally or emotionally unsafe place. When it comes to sexual harassment, there...
How does the OSH Act protect you against employer retaliation?
Perhaps you work as a brick mason for a construction company that has recently come under new management. You recognized a hazardous situation and raised the issue with your supervisor who responded by giving you a low performance evaluation. A little background The...
A severance agreement for an older employee must be well written
There are special requirements for a severance agreement given to a departing employee 40 years of age or older. Such an agreement must be well drafted, or it may not stand up in court. About severance agreements An employer may provide a departing employee with a...
What are some subtle signs of sexual harassment at work?
When you struggle to get up and go to work because of the attitudes and actions of coworkers or bosses, you may start to wonder about the definition of sexual harassment. Not all instances of sexual harassment are obvious at first. Taking notice of comments and...
Do gay workers face more discrimination at work?
Now that Pride Month has drawn to a close, you are probably thankful to live and work in Delaware. After all, you undoubtedly read more than one story about how bad it can be for members of the LGBTQ+ community who reside in other parts of the country. Unlike many...
Did you experience non-physical sexual harassment?
Due to the unequal distribution of media attention, many people equate sexual harassment with physical assault. Though many cases of sexual harassment do include assault, this is not always true. Many instances do not include any physical contact at all. However,...