What actions can I take if I was fired after making a sexual harassment complaint against a handicapped person at work?
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What actions can I take if I was fired after making a sexual harassment complaint against a handicapped person at work?
A handicap male attempted to miss me, I stood up and gained distance, but
then he tried to grab my privates. I asked my co-worker, who had worked at
company a long time, what to do. He said I needed to report it to my supervisor. I did so, but was later told I was fired for my unethical actions of telling another co-worker first. I am a newer employee at company but don’t understand this because I did nothing wrong.
Asked on September 15, 2018 under Employment Labor Law, Maryland
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
You can file a complaint for sexual harassment and illegal retaliation with the EEOC. There is nothing illegal or unethical about telling a co-worker (so long as the report was true; a false claim would be a different story and would likely be defamation); but it IS illegal to retaliate againt someone for filing a claim of sexual harassment in good faith. There is also nothing saying that a handicapped person can sexually harass someone without consequences. The EEOC enforces the anti-discrimination law; they may be able to help you regain your job or compensation.
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