The tech field has long been a male-dominated field, and though more women are entering the workforce, they still face sexual harassment at an alarming rate. The imbalance can make it difficult to know what to do, but the San Francisco sexual harassment attorney with The Armstrong Law Firm can help prepare you for how to handle the situation and what you may expect from reporting it.
Recognize What Common Types of Sexual Harassment Can Look Like
Sexual harassment can take many forms, though some are more common than others. Among these are:
- Sexual jokes and comments
- Continued unwanted sexual or romantic advances
- Offering professional benefits in exchange for compliance with sexual requests or statements
- Nonconsensual touching, groping, or contact
- Sexist Jokes and Slurs
- Demeaning comments based on gender
This is, in no way, an exhaustive list of the types of harassment women in the tech industry often face, but it can serve as a general idea of what may qualify.
Document Instances of Harassment
If you are beginning to suspect that some of your workplace interactions may qualify as sexual harassment, one of the best things you can do is document the behaviors. This documentation can be through your own notes that indicate the date and time, the person with whom you had the interaction, and a small summary of what happened.
You may also choose to report these events to your supervisor or the HR department. If you speak with them in person, it is wise to create a paper trail and follow up with an e-mail summarizing what happened in the meeting, including your concerns and any action plan you may have discussed.
Report Your Experience
Women in the tech industry are protected from sexual harassment by the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). The bill covers harassment based on membership of a protected class, as well as retaliation for reporting incidents. If you have been subjected to sexual harassment, you are entitled to report it and are protected from retaliation from your employer. The first step to reporting your concerns is getting familiar with your company’s policy on these types of situations. Follow their procedure and document every part of the process.
If your supervisor is the person responsible for the harassment and your company does not have an HR department or third party with whom you feel comfortable, you may have recourse by filing a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department. They will review your complaint and determine how to proceed.
Contact an Attorney
You may choose to speak with an attorney prior to making a report if you are concerned about your employer taking your situation seriously. However, many people contact a sexual harassment attorney from The Armstrong Law Firm when they feel their report goes unaddressed.
If your employer fails to address illegal and discriminatory behavior, they may also be liable for damages you suffer from sexual harassment as a woman in the tech field. It may feel extreme to schedule a consultation with a sexual harassment attorney, but in many ways, it levels the playing field and lets your employer know that you are serious about protecting your rights.