FROM WOOING TO SUING: HOW SEXUAL HARASSMENT COULD LAND YOUR LAW FIRM IN HOT WATER

Sexual harassment has been the one topic consistently plastered over the papers and social media platforms in recent months. It seems that everyone has either had their own unpleasant brush with it or at least knows someone who has. But what has become apparent is that many wholly misunderstand what actually constitutes sexual harassment. What some thought of as harmless flirtation or banterous behaviour can in fact be a lot more serious, especially in the office. Below Lawyer Monthly hears from Frank Ryan, Head of Employment at Vardags, on the need-to-know of sexual harassment in the workplace.

A type of discrimination that can take many forms and affect any person, sexual harassment is oblivious to gender, sexuality and age. Instead, it feeds off power imbalances, where one employee sees themselves as superior to another and enjoys making it known. Law firms, with strict hierarchical structures, are unfortunately particularly prone to over-stepping the line in this way. Younger team members such as graduates with hard-earned training contracts may be placed in a particularly sticky situation if they start to feel put upon by a more senior lawyer. Working long hours at the office exacerbates the problem and may make people feel more entitled to take liberties, particularly given the reputation of law firms being something of an ‘old boy’s club’. While firms are far less male-orientated than they used to be, women might still be somewhat under represented at senior level, a fact that’s unlikely to fill young female lawyers with confidence when it comes to speaking out about their discomfort.

But not only does sexual harassment appear in a multitude of guises in the office, it is also defined in broad terms in law. Technically, sexual harassment is the unwanted conduct of a sexual nature which violates a person’s dignity, or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that person. So, as you can imagine, this accommodates for a whole spectrum of bad behaviour.

If you’re the CEO or MD of a law firm, it’s crucial that you are clued up on these many misdeeds. If an employee has complained about sexual harassment from another employee (or a third party in an employment context), the employer can be liable if they didn’t take appropriate steps to prevent it happening in the first place or failed to take steps to stop it from happening again. So get to grips with the risks now because if you slip up, you could land yourself, your team and your firm in hot water.

So, what should you watch out for?

Unwanted physical contact is perhaps the most obvious kind of sexual harassment, but it can be subtle too. One of your lawyers may feel belittled by a squeeze of the knee in an important meeting, an arm about the waist or a lingering hand on the back. Despite being the least ambiguous reason to cry foul, without witnesses it can be hard to prove. It is important to remember that previous consent to a sexual relationship does not undermine future harassment claims- just because two of your team hit it off at last year’s Christmas drinks doesn’t mean the feeling is mutual now.

Words are also powerful tools in the hands of the office pest. Demeaning or sexualised comments on a colleague’s appearance or abilities, unfair teasing and sexist jokes all count as harassment. Intrusive questions about personal life, including relationship status, sexual preferences and family planning, can be used to embarrass employees too.

Equally, verbal sexual harassment doesn’t have to be face-to-face: it can be overheard. If a lawyer has to endure their colleagues guffawing about their recent conquests while they try to draft a consent order, this can be a cause for complaint. And, unsurprisingly, the words don’t have to be spoken. Victims of sexual harassment should be sure to save any offensive emails, texts or tweets for when they lodge a complaint. With concrete evidence such as this, it’s easier for you to take swift action – and take swift action you must.

But inappropriate behaviour doesn’t stop at unwelcome touching or teasing. You must take care that employees’ data is only being used for official purposes and won’t be commandeered by those who wish to invade another’s privacy. Should a colleague call another’s personal mobile without a valid reason or send letters or gifts to their house, this can certainly set off alarm bells.

Bandying about indecent images in the office, too, can be a form of sexual harassment. And of course, if an employee catches another taking secretive snaps of them there should certainly be consequences, especially if any of these photos end up on a website without the subject’s consent. When it comes to sexual harassment like this, social media is a minefield. An employee is absolutely within their rights to flag up a colleague’s intrusive liking of their Facebook photos or tagging in sexually explicit posts.

This list of scenarios may seem overwhelming to employers trying to do the best for their team, but not all law firms are breeding grounds for sexual harassment. To avoid any of these nasty situations, set clear boundaries in firm policy so employees know what’s what. If this doesn’t nip the problem in the bud, be sure that you take every complaint seriously: not only can sexual harassment create a hostile and unhappy office, if you dismiss a report, the spotlight could turn on you. Once firms have become better at self-policing in this way, perhaps at last our newsfeeds will have a new tale to tell.

Lawyermonthly

Related Articles

257 COMMENTS

  1. When I initially commented I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on whenever a comment
    is added I receive 4 emails with the exact same comment.
    There has to be a means you are able to remove me from that
    service? Thanks!

    My website; Brady

  2. I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and
    was wondering what all is needed to get setup?
    I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny?
    I’m not very web smart so I’m not 100% sure.
    Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated.
    Many thanks

    Look at my homepage: discuss

  3. I am really inspired together with your writing talents and also with the layout in your blog.
    Is that this a paid subject matter or did you customize it yourself?
    Either way stay up the excellent quality writing, it’s uncommon to peer
    a nice blog like this one these days..

    Also visit my webpage http://Lulle.sakura.ne.jp/

  4. Hi there! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any issues with hackers?
    My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing
    several weeks of hard work due to no back up.
    Do you have any methods to protect against hackers?

    Here is my page oq-ayiq.net

  5. Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this site.
    It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s
    very difficult to get that “perfect balance” between user friendliness and
    visual appeal. I must say you’ve done a fantastic job with this.
    Additionally, the blog loads extremely quick for me on Opera.
    Superb Blog!

    My homepage … cirrusbuffer8.bravejournal.net

  6. Having read this I believed it was really enlightening.
    I appreciate you finding the time and effort to put this short article together.
    I once again find myself spending a significant amount of time
    both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!

    Also visit my blog post; studyroom.co.za

  7. My programmer is trying to convince me to move to .net from PHP.
    I have always disliked the idea because of the costs. But he’s
    tryiong none the less. I’ve been using Movable-type on a variety of websites for about a year and am worried about switching to another platform.
    I have heard fantastic things about blogengine.net.
    Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress
    posts into it? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

    Feel free to surf to my web page; http://www.52miaomu.com

  8. Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads up.
    The words in your content seem to be running off the screen in Safari.

    I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with internet browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know.
    The style and design look great though! Hope you get the issue resolved soon. Cheers

    Here is my page … enigmabest.ru

  9. Greetings I am so excited I found your blog, I really found you by accident, while I was researching on Yahoo for something else,
    Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say thank you for
    a tremendous post and a all round enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to look over it all at the minute but I have saved
    it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read
    much more, Please do keep up the excellent job.

    My blog post :: vimeo.com

  10. This design is incredible! You obviously know how to keep a reader entertained.

    Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start
    my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Wonderful job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that,
    how you presented it. Too cool!

    Stop by my blog http://www.fcc.gov

  11. You’re so interesting! I do not believe I’ve truly read through something like that
    before. So great to find someone with some original
    thoughts on this topic. Seriously.. many thanks for starting this up.

    This web site is one thing that’s needed on the internet,
    someone with a little originality!

    my webpage: http://www.vashbit.com

  12. Good day! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my old room mate!
    He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this page to him.

    Fairly certain he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!

    Also visit my webpage; huhwitten.de

  13. I’m amazed, I have to admit. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s equally educative and
    entertaining, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head.
    The problem is something that too few folks are speaking intelligently about.
    Now i’m very happy I stumbled across this during my hunt for something regarding this.

    Here is my web-site; darkryder.com

  14. Hey I am so happy I found your blog, I really found you by error, while I was browsing on Bing for something else,
    Regardless I am here now and would just like to say thanks a lot for a incredible post and a all round enjoyable
    blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to look over it all at the moment but
    I have book-marked it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read
    more, Please do keep up the fantastic work.

    Here is my homepage :: wert-tools.ru

  15. What you published made a great deal of sense.
    But, what about this? suppose you were to write a awesome headline?
    I ain’t suggesting your content isn’t good., but suppose you added a title that makes people desire more?
    I mean FROM WOOING TO SUING: HOW SEXUAL HARASSMENT COULD LAND YOUR LAW FIRM IN HOT WATER – Law and Society Magazine.
    is a little vanilla. You ought to look at Yahoo’s front
    page and watch how they write post headlines to get people to open the links.
    You might add a related video or a picture or two to
    grab readers excited about what you’ve got to say.
    In my opinion, it might bring your posts a little livelier.

    my blog :: http://www.xinyuelt1.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=225313

  16. Wonderful site you have here but I was curious if you knew of any user discussion forums that cover the same topics discussed here?
    I’d really love to be a part of group where I can get comments from other knowledgeable individuals that share the same interest.

    If you have any suggestions, please let me know.
    Many thanks!

    My web page – atavi.com

  17. Please let me know if you’re looking for a article writer for your site.
    You have some really good articles and I think I would be a good asset.
    If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d really like to write some material
    for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine.
    Please shoot me an e-mail if interested. Many thanks!

    my web page: https://zippyshare.com/refundgeese46

  18. Thanks for the marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed reading
    it, you happen to be a great author.I will ensure that
    I bookmark your blog and will come back later on. I want to
    encourage that you continue your great job,
    have a nice holiday weekend!

    My web-site :: discuss

  19. I was curious if you ever considered changing the structure of your
    website? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say.

    But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so
    people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot
    of text for only having one or two pictures.
    Maybe you could space it out better?

    Look at my web site setiweb.ssl.berkeley.edu

  20. My spouse and I absolutely love your blog and find nearly all of your
    post’s to be just what I’m looking for. Do you offer guest writers to write content
    for you? I wouldn’t mind publishing a post or elaborating on a
    number of the subjects you write related to here. Again, awesome
    web log!

    My webpage; http://www.clacker.com.au

  21. I’m no longer sure the place you’re getting your information, but good
    topic. I needs to spend a while finding out more or working out more.
    Thanks for fantastic info I used to be on the lookout for this info for my mission.

    Stop by my web-site – mirvera.info

  22. Simply desire to say your article is as surprising.
    The clarity in your post is simply nice and i could assume
    you are an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission let me to grab your
    feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please carry on the gratifying work.

    Also visit my page: http://www.ted.com

  23. Woah! I’m really loving the template/theme of this site.
    It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s challenging to get that “perfect balance” between user friendliness and visual appeal.

    I must say that you’ve done a fantastic job with this.
    Additionally, the blog loads super quick for me on Firefox.

    Outstanding Blog!

    Feel free to visit my site :: http://www.pcb.its.dot.gov

  24. Today, I went to the beachfront with my kids. I found a sea
    shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said
    “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell to her ear
    and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
    She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell someone!

    Feel free to visit my homepage setiweb.ssl.berkeley.edu

  25. Its like you learn my mind! You appear to grasp
    a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.

    I believe that you can do with a few p.c. to force the message home
    a bit, but instead of that, this is fantastic blog. A fantastic
    read. I will definitely be back.

    Feel free to visit my homepage; igrozoom.ru

  26. Having read this I thought it was extremely enlightening.
    I appreciate you finding the time and effort to put this
    short article together. I once again find myself spending
    a lot of time both reading and commenting. But so what,
    it was still worth it!

    Here is my website … brewwiki.win

  27. When I initially commented I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and
    now every time a comment is added I recieve four emails
    with the exact same comment. Perhaps there is a means you can remove me from that service?
    Kudos!

    Look into my page :: Sheena

  28. Excellent article. Keep writing such kind of info on your site.

    Im really impressed by your blog.
    Hello there, You have done a fantastic job.

    I’ll certainly digg it and in my view recommend
    to my friends. I am confident they will be benefited from this web site.

    Also visit my page arto-usolie.ru

  29. Greetings from Ohio! I’m bored to death at work so I decided to check
    out your website on my iphone during lunch break. I love the info you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home.
    I’m amazed at how quick your blog loaded on my cell
    phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G ..
    Anyhow, great blog!

    My blog pandora.nla.gov.au

  30. Greetings from Idaho! I’m bored to death at work so I decided to browse your
    site on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the information you provide here and can’t wait
    to take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how quick your blog loaded on my mobile ..
    I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, great
    site!

    My webpage: http://hawkee.com/profile/1444323/

  31. I’ve been exploring for a little bit for any high-quality articles or weblog posts on this
    sort of space . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled
    upon this website. Reading this info So i am satisfied to show that I’ve a very good uncanny
    feeling I came upon exactly what I needed. I most for sure will make
    certain to do not overlook this site and give it a glance regularly.

    Here is my blog :: http://businesspeopleclub.com/index.php?qa=user&qa_1=crylily4

  32. First of all I want to say wonderful blog!
    I had a quick question that I’d like to ask if you don’t mind.
    I was interested to know how you center yourself and clear your mind before writing.
    I have had a hard time clearing my thoughts in getting my ideas out.

    I truly do enjoy writing however it just seems like the first 10 to
    15 minutes are usually lost just trying to figure out how to begin. Any ideas or
    tips? Thanks!

    my homepage: lovewiki.faith

  33. you are truly a excellent webmaster. The web site loading velocity is
    incredible. It sort of feels that you’re doing any unique trick.
    Furthermore, The contents are masterwork.

    you’ve done a fantastic activity in this subject!

    Here is my website :: lz13w.com

  34. Awesome website you have here but I was curious about if you knew
    of any user discussion forums that cover the same topics
    discussed in this article? I’d really like to be a
    part of group where I can get responses from other experienced individuals that share the same
    interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know.
    Bless you!

    Here is my webpage; http://www.transtats.bts.gov

  35. It is perfect time to make some plans for the future and
    it’s time to be happy. I’ve read this submit and if I
    could I wish to recommend you few interesting things
    or tips. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this
    article. I desire to read more issues approximately it!

    Here is my web page … https://coub.com/chinharbor98

  36. I have been surfing on-line greater than three hours nowadays, but I never found
    any attention-grabbing article like yours. It is pretty value enough for me.
    In my opinion, if all website owners and bloggers made excellent content as you did, the net will likely
    be a lot more helpful than ever before.

    My page – http://www.synthedit.com

  37. An interesting discussion is definitely worth comment. There’s no
    doubt that that you should publish more about this subject matter, it may
    not be a taboo subject but typically people don’t talk about
    these topics. To the next! All the best!!

    Also visit my webpage zgtxcc.com

  38. Having read this I believed it was extremely informative.
    I appreciate you spending some time and energy to put this information together.
    I once again find myself spending a lot of time both reading and posting comments.

    But so what, it was still worth it!

    My blog post; nerdgaming.science

  39. It’s perfect time to make some plans for the future and
    it’s time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I
    desire to suggest you few interesting things or advice. Maybe you can write next articles referring to this article.
    I wish to read even more things about it!

    Visit my homepage … radnik.pl

  40. You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something that I think I would never
    understand. It seems too complicated and extremely broad for me.
    I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!

    my website – xn--g1art7a.xn--p1ai

  41. Today, I went to the beach with my kids.
    I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell to her ear and screamed.
    There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.

    She never wants to go back! LoL I know this
    is completely off topic but I had to tell someone!

    Feel free to visit my web-site 74novosti.ru

  42. It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the future and
    it’s time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I
    could I desire to suggest you some interesting things or advice.
    Perhaps you could write next articles referring
    to this article. I want to read more things about it!

    Here is my web-site – cinema-pulse.ru

  43. The other day, while I was at work, my sister stole my
    iPad and tested to see if it can survive a 25 foot drop, just so she can be
    a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now destroyed and
    she has 83 views. I know this is entirely off topic but I had to share it with someone!

    Here is my web blog – kinoxits.net

  44. Hello there I am so happy I found your site, I really
    found you by mistake, while I was searching on Bing for something else,
    Nonetheless I am here now and would just like to say cheers for a remarkable post
    and a all round exciting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to go through it all at the minute but I have
    bookmarked it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back
    to read more, Please do keep up the superb job.

    Also visit my page :: qnbuz.net

  45. Excellent website you have here but I was wanting to know if
    you knew of any discussion boards that cover the same topics discussed in this article?
    I’d really love to be a part of community where I can get feed-back
    from other knowledgeable individuals that share the same
    interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.
    Bless you!

    Feel free to visit my web blog: https://classifieds.lt/index.php?page=user&action=pub_profile&id=1359697

  46. I am really loving the theme/design of your weblog.
    Do you ever run into any browser compatibility issues?

    A couple of my blog audience have complained about my blog not working correctly in Explorer but
    looks great in Firefox. Do you have any ideas to help fix this issue?

    Also visit my webpage; wiki.seds.org

  47. Hi I am so delighted I found your blog page, I really found you by error, while I was
    researching on Bing for something else, Regardless I am here
    now and would just like to say cheers for a tremendous post and a all round exciting blog (I also love the theme/design),
    I don’t have time to go through it all at the minute
    but I have saved it and also included your RSS feeds,
    so when I have time I will be back to read much more, Please do keep up the excellent work.

    My web page https://historyhub.history.gov/external-link.jspa?url=https://szv7.com/

  48. Attractive portion of content. I simply stumbled upon your website
    and in accession capital to say that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog
    posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing in your feeds and even I fulfillment
    you get admission to consistently rapidly.

    My website – historyhub.history.gov

  49. hey there and thank you for your info – I’ve definitely picked up anything new from right here.
    I did however expertise a few technical issues using this web site, since I
    experienced to reload the site a lot of times previous to I could get it to load properly.
    I had been wondering if your hosting is OK? Not that I am
    complaining, but slow loading instances times will very frequently affect
    your placement in google and could damage your high
    quality score if advertising and marketing with
    Adwords. Anyway I’m adding this RSS to my email and can look out for a lot more of your respective
    interesting content. Make sure you update this again soon.

    my blog post – http://www.instapaper.com

  50. It’s perfect time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy.
    I have read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you some interesting things or tips.

    Maybe you could write next articles referring to this
    article. I desire to read more things about it!

    Also visit my blog: http://www.kickstarter.com

  51. I don’t know whether it’s just me or if everybody else
    encountering issues with your site. It appears like
    some of the written text within your content are running off the
    screen. Can someone else please provide feedback and let me know if this is happening to them as well?

    This might be a issue with my web browser because I’ve had
    this happen before. Thanks

    Here is my page: http://www.lawrence.com

  52. Интернет-платформа Джойказино появилась на просторах отечественного интернета в 2014 году.
    Пользователям ресурса доступен сертифицированный
    программный продукт от известных провайдеров.
    В коллекцию виртуальных развлечений входят симуляторы с барабанами и линиями, лайв-игры и ставки на
    спортивные события.

  53. Thank you for another informative site. Where else may just I
    am getting that kind of information written in such a perfect means?
    I’ve a mission that I am just now working on, and I
    have been at the glance out for such info.

    Feel free to visit my web-site; picomart.trade

Stay Connected.

1,169,000FansLike
34,567FollowersFollow
1,401,000FollowersFollow
0SubscribersSubscribe
- Advertisement -

Latest Articles