To file a sexual harassment complaint, follow the procedures outlined in your workplace or school’s handbook. Include specific details such as date, time, and location, and avoid adding speculative claims. If necessary, file a complaint with a government agency or consider a lawsuit.
Filing a sexual harassment complaint is usually based on where the harassing incident occurred. If you need to file a workplace sexual harassment grievance, you may want to review the grievance procedures typically found in the employee handbook. A school sexual harassment complaint will also go through formal grievance procedures. Logging incident details soon after it occurs can help keep relevant information up to date. Depending on where you live, you may also have the option to file a complaint with a local government agency or court system.
A formal sexual harassment complaint usually includes the pertinent details surrounding the sexual harassment incident. The claim must include the date, time and place of the accident. You may also need to include the name of the person you are accusing of sexual harassment. When reporting a sexual harassment incident, you should make every effort to provide specific facts about what happened. Adding claims beyond fact could be perceived as false or speculative.
Most employee handbooks outline procedures for filing a complaint if the sexual harassment incident occurred in the workplace. Typically, the first report is sent to your supervisor if he or she is not the source of the complaint. Company policy may require you to submit your initial complaint to the human resources department even if your line manager is not directly involved.
Academic institutions may have different departments responsible for handling a sexual harassment complaint based on your status as a student or employee. Some institutions may have a central contact in campus relations or the principal’s office for students to make a formal complaint. Faculty and staff may report sexual harassment complaints to the department head or the human resources department.
The process may vary by jurisdiction, but you may want to file a sexual harassment complaint with a local or regional government agency. Usually, this option is available as an additional appeal if your employer or academic institution cannot remedy the situation. The process of filing a sexual harassment complaint with a government agency may require the same information that is included in the complaint to your employer or school. Further information may also include the steps taken before contacting the agency.
In some cases, the procedure in company policy or government agency does not resolve the matter. If so, you may have the opportunity to file a sexual harassment lawsuit in the court system. An experienced attorney will typically present the facts of your case in court. The information in the legal complaint should typically align with the legal definition in your area that constitutes sexual harassment.
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