Where can an employee in Oregon file a sexual harassment complaint against their employer?

Although some work environments are known to be more stressful than others, never should an employee be subjected to harassment of any kind. If any employee is being sexually harassed at their place of employment, they can file a complaint with the Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries (BOLI). Sexual harassment complaints can either be quid pro quo, which involves an employer who demands sexual favors in exchange for employee benefits, or hostile work environment harassment, which is when the behavior is so severe it creates an offensive or hostile work environment.

What types of conduct are considered forms of sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment comes in many forms but some of the more common types that result in complaints being filed include:

Repeated sexual flirtations
Sexual advances
Degrading comments about an individual or their appearance
Sending an employee sexually explicit photos or messages
Unwelcome physical contact of a sexual nature
Requests for sexual favors

[Source: BOLI]

If an individual displays conduct that is “not sexual in nature but is gender-related,” they too can be accused of sexual harassment.

Filing a Sexual Harassment Complaint with the BOLI

If an individual is considering filing a sexual harassment complaint with the BOLI, they should be aware of the following:

Once the complaint is received, the Civil Rights Division (CRD) is responsible for investigating it. This division handles allegations of employment discrimination. Sexual harassment is considered a form of sex discrimination.
Complaints of discrimination must be filed with the BOLI within one year from the date the last incident occurred.
Victims of sexual harassment will be required to fill out a questionnaire before their complaint is officially filed. This questionnaire will help the agency determine whether it has jurisdiction over the complaint.

Some other things an employee needs to be aware of include:

Once the intake form has been received by the BOLI, it will be assigned to an intake officer. After this happens, the individual should be contacted by the CRD within 10 business days.
If an individual would like, they can hire an Oregon sexual harassment attorney to assist them with the complaint process. In fact, they are even permitted to have a lawyer draft and submit a complaint on their behalf.

If an employee needs to get in contact with the BOLI, they can reach the agency at (971) 673-0761.

Hiring a Sexual Harassment Lawyer in Oregon

If an employee is looking for help with filing their sexual harassment complaint or would like to file a civil lawsuit against their employer over a sexual harassment incident, they can contact USAttorneys.com to get connected with an attorney. USAttorneys.com can help an individual locate an Oregon sexual harassment lawyer who is closest to them, regardless of whether they work in Portland, Salem, or Eugene.

To find a qualified attorney who is prepared to address a sexual harassment incident, contact USAttorneys.com today.