When Fox News anchorwoman Gretchen Carlson filed a sexual harassment suit against her boss, employment attorneys across the nation could not have predicted the ending. In a record-breaking development, 21^st Century Fox attorneys have announced that they settled with Carlson for a whopping $20 million, the largest single-plaintiff pre-trial settlement of a sexual harassment lawsuit nationally. The legal team for the plaintiff included my colleagues Neil Mullen and Nancy Erika Smith. In addition to the large settlement, defendant and former Fox News chairman Roger Ailes issued an apology to Carlson — which some legal experts consider even more stunning, as it virtually invites other similarly situated Fox employees to make claims and file suits.

Sexual harassment is a common workplace occurrence, but that does not mean it should be tolerated. Often the dynamic is one of “power over”, so the victim does not complain, perhaps out of fear for retaliatory misconduct.  In Carlson’s case, retaliation was certainly in play.  By filing a civil action complaint and going to the press, Carlson managed to get Ailes fired from his job..

If you are facing sexual harassment in your workplace, there are important steps you should take, including:

• Speak up — it is essential that you tell the offender that you do not like this behavior and insist that it stop.  You also must tell HR or a supervisor to the offender or both.  In many cases, the offender will stop once they see you are willing to stand up.  In other cases, it may not stop the harassment, but it’s an essential part of your legal strategy.
• Document — keep a log of days, times, and content of the harassment, as well as a record of how and when you requested that the behavior stop.  Written or recorded documentation is the gold standard.
• Read your company policy — most companies have a policy against sexual harassment and other forms of discrimination in their HR or personnel handbook. Read it and do what it says.
• File an official complaint — if the harassment continues, seek help from an employment lawyer who represents workers like you.  S/he may advise you to file a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). S/he may recommend that you issue a demand letter through your lawyer, or file a lawsuit.
• Hire an attorney — The Company will be represented, so you should be well represented, too.

The law protects victims of workplace harassment who are fired as an act of retaliation. As part of a settlement or legal decision, a victim must be reinstated and compensated for any lost income, lost promotion opportunities, benefits and the like.

A skilled and experienced sexual harassment attorney can help you get your job back, obtain compensation, and/or make sexual harassment a thing of the past. Call Hanan M. Isaacs, P. C., at 609-683-7400 or contact us online to get the process started.  We will arrange a near-term reduced fee initial consultation.  You can tell us your facts, we will advise you as to the relevant law, and we will recommend the best course of action for you to pursue.  Call us today. You will be glad you did.