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Sexual harassment in Fort Collins, Colorado, United States, is a serious offense and is regarded as a form of workplace discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. It encompasses a range of behavior where unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature alter the victim's employment or creates a hostile or offensive work environment.
If you are a victim of sexual harassment, a lawyer can help you understand your rights and determine the best course of action. You may require legal advice in situations such as when faced with unwanted sexual advances at work, working in a hostile work environment, facing retaliation for filing a complaint, or if your career progression has been affected due to sexual harassment. Additionally, you may also need legal counsel while navigating the complexities of sexual harassment laws, particularly if you want to file a lawsuit against the perpetrator or your employer.
In Fort Collins, and Colorado as a whole, both federal and state laws prohibit sexual harassment. Employers are expected to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment and handle any reported incidents promptly and effectively. Under Colorado law (Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act), it is illegal for an employer to retaliate against an employee for filing a sexual harassment complaint. The state law protects employees working in companies of any size, not just those with 15 or more employees as stipulated by federal law. In addition, Colorado law provides stronger protections for victims of sexual harassment.
Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that interferes with work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.
Any individual who feels they have been subjected to sexual harassment at work may file a complaint. This includes employees, job applicants, contractors, and interns.
No, under both federal and Colorado laws, it is illegal for employers to retaliate against an employee who complains about sexual harassment, files a complaint, or takes part in a harassment investigation or lawsuit.
If you feel comfortable, inform the perpetrator that their behavior is unwanted and unacceptable. Report the harassment to your supervisor, human resource department, or any other person in charge as per your company's policy. Keeping a record of each incident and any communication related to the harassment can be essential. If the issue remains unresolved, you may wish to consult with a lawyer or file a formal complaint with appropriate enforcement agencies or courts.
Yes. Under the federal law, you must typically file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) within 180 days of the incident. However, in Colorado, state law extends this filing period to 300 days.
Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies' Civil Rights Division handles sexual harassment claims in the state. Other resources include the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), The Colorado Women's Bar Association, and various local non-profit organizations offering support and advocacy for victims of sexual harassment.
If you believe you have experienced sexual harassment at work in Fort Collins, report the incident(s) to your employer first. If the issue is not appropriately addressed, consult with a lawyer with expertise in sexual harassment cases. You may also file a formal complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Division or the EEOC, keeping in mind the deadlines for filing. Ensure to save all relevant evidence related to the harassment, like emails, text messages, photographs, or any other relevant document, which could be crucial in making your case stronger.
