Employees Who are Sexually Harassed in Wyoming May be Entitled to Financial Relief from Their Employer

Sexual harassment is recognized as a form of sex discrimination and is prohibited in the workplace, according to the Wyoming Fair Employment Practices Act of 1965. If an employee has been harassed at work, they do have rights that can be exercised with the help of a Wyoming sexual harassment lawyer. Depending on the incidents that occurred and how they have impacted a victim both physically/psychologically, an individual may be able to recover compensation from their employer to serve as a form of financial relief.

Here’s how.

Sexual harassment can affect a victim in a multitude of ways as is “associated with increased risk of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as diminished self-esteem, self-confidence, and psychological well-being.”¹ In addition, sexual harassment can also have a negative effect on a person’s financial situation. Take for instance someone who is constantly being approached for sexual favors by a manager or supervisor.

In a situation like this, the individual might find themselves calling out of work regularly to reduce the amount of time they are required to be around their harasser or outright quit and settle for a lower-paying job somewhere else. Between the financial effects and the psychological effects sexual harassment can have on a person, it is only fair for a victim to be provided with financial relief.

How does an employee recover financial relief from an employer for sexual harassment?

Generally, an employee would first want to consider hiring a Wyoming sexual harassment attorney who can review their case and determine whether compensation is warranted. If an employee has a valid case against their employer, they can then file a civil lawsuit against them. In their lawsuit, they can request that they be awarded for the harm they have suffered as a result of the harassment.

Some of the common damages (i.e. financial relief) that are awarded in civil cases stemming from sexual harassment include:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Lost wages
• Embarrassment

Now, before the court will award any of the following damages, the employee will be required to prove that it was their employer’s behavior or lack thereof that caused them harm. If an employer wasn’t the initiator of the harassment, he/she can still be held accountable if it occurred in their workplace and did nothing to help prevent it.

What is the average payout for a sexual harassment case?

Each sexual harassment case is valued differently, therefore, there is no average amount that is awarded to a victim. It all comes down to how the harassment has affected their life and what they are looking to recover to make up for this.

Connect with a Sexual Harassment Attorney in Wyoming Today

If an employee in Cheyenne, Casper, or even Gillette, WY is ready to discuss their incident with a lawyer who can decide if their employer should be held financially liable for sexual harassment, they can contact USAttorneys.com to get connected with a legal expert in their area.

Sources:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3227029/