Sexual Harassment Cases in Tampa 101: Who Is a Harasser in a Sexual Harassment Case?

If you are facing unwanted sexual advances or harassment at work in Tampa, you might ask: who exactly can be the harasser? The truth is that the answer under the law may surprise you. This is because the person causing the harassment does not always fit the simple stereotype of a boss or supervisor, and the laws are clear about how broad the definition can be. Understanding who may be responsible can help you determine your rights and next steps. To help sexual harassment victims in Tampa better understand their rights, we break down who can be a harasser in a Tampa sexual harassment case and where to get legal help now.

Sexual Harassment is Not Just Perpetrated by Bosses, Managers, and Supervisors

Under federal sexual harassment laws, harassment can happen in many forms and can be committed by different types of individuals in a workplace context. As the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission explains, a sexual harasser may be the victim’s supervisor, an agent of the employer, a supervisor in another area, a co-worker, or even a non-employee, for example, a third-party vendor. Unlawful workplace sexual harassment can be perpetrated by these individuals: the supervisor or agent of the employer; a co-worker, or even a non-employee, such as a client, customer, vendor, or even a family member of the employer. It is important for sexual harassment victims in Tampa to know that the victim does not have to be of the opposite sex from the harasser. Women can harass men; men can harass women; and same-sex harassment is also covered under the law.

Why Does it Matter Who the Harasser is in a Tampa Sexual Harassment Case?

Knowing who the harasser is helps determine what kind of legal responsibility the employer may have, and what your rights are. It is a common misconception among Tampa workers that only sexual harassment perpetrated by a boss, coworker, manager, or person in another position of authority is unlawful and actionable. However, Tampa workers should be armed with the knowledge that they have the right to be free from sexual harassment at work, regardless of the harasser’s title. Knowing this gives Tampa workers the power to take action and hold their employer accountable for failing to prevent and stop the harassment and for creating a hostile work environment.

How a Tampa Sexual Harassment Lawyer Can Help

In sum, Tampa workers have strong protections under federal and Florida sexual harassment laws. However, there is only a limited time to file a case for compensation for sexual harassment in Tampa, so getting in touch with an experienced Tampa sexual harassment lawyer is critical to recovering compensation due to you.

If you are in the Tampa area and you need legal help holding your employer accountable for sexual harassment in the workplace, do not hesitate to speak with the experienced Tampa sexual harassment lawyers at the law firm Florin Gray. Contact Florin Gray today and speak with a lawyer about your case now.