Houston Workplace Sexual Harassment Attorneys
How Our Sexual Harassment Lawyers Safeguard Your Civil Rights
Anyone can be a victim of sexual harassment in the workplace. Knowing what sexual harassment looks like and what steps to take when it happens matters. The boss who pinches an assistant, the cubicle neighbor who posts offensive sexual images or jokes, or a supervisor who demotes an employee after ending a relationship—all are examples of sexual harassment at work.
Whether you believe you are a victim, suspect harassment may be happening, or want to protect yourself in your current company, preparation empowers you. With support from our Houston sexual harassment lawyers, you can protect your rights and workplace dignity.
Harassment can appear in any environment, even where people seem respectful. Sexual harassment creates emotional, physical, and professional harm. It can hurt job performance, damage well-being, or disrupt daily work. Recognizing the signs early helps you take action to protect your interests and mental health.
Our legal team provides tailored guidance for employees working within Houston’s major industries, including energy, healthcare, shipping, and technology. These workplaces often bring together teams from diverse backgrounds, making clear and respectful interaction a priority. We know the unique challenges Houston’s workforce faces and use our firsthand knowledge of local business environments to defend our clients’ rights in a range of workplace settings. The variety of cases we see gives us an informed perspective on the types of harassment that can arise and the most effective strategies for addressing them.
Contact the Houston employment lawyers of Shellist Lazarz Slobin at (713) 352-3433 for an initial consultation if you are experiencing an uncomfortable situation on the job as a result of sexual harassment.
Recognizing Examples of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Harassment includes unwanted touching, sending explicit photographs, requesting sexual favors, denying a promotion or raise after refusing advances, or other unwanted sexual conduct. This behavior can happen between coworkers or, more often, involves someone with power over another employee. The target of harassment may feel pressured to comply because of fear of retaliation.
Sexual harassment can cause embarrassment and interfere with an individual’s career. Sometimes, a supervisor may use job benefits as leverage for sexual favors. Other times, coworkers might make inappropriate comments that lead to a hostile work environment. Any form of sexual harassment is inappropriate and illegal, regardless of how frequent or severe it is.
Key Red Flags Indicating Sexual Harassment in the Workplace:
- Remarks or comments referring to someone’s personal appearance or private areas, especially using sexual language
- Inappropriate touching, especially in a provocative manner
- Discrimination or harassment based on sexual orientation or gender identity
- When one employee, typically someone in an authoritative position, makes sexual advances towards another worker
- Forwarding someone’s personal photos that are graphic or sexual in nature, even if they were obtained online
- Forwarding someone’s writings that are sexual or provocative and were intended to be personal (email, text messages, etc.)
What Does the Law Say About Sexual Harassment?
For over 40 years, sexual harassment at work has been prohibited under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Despite decades of efforts and education, workplace harassment remains a reality for many workers.
Specifically, the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) defines sexual harassment as follows:
- “Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature…when submission to or rejection of this conduct explicitly or implicitly affects an individual's employment, unreasonably interferes with an individual's work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment.”
In Houston and throughout Texas, employees also have protections under state law. The Texas Labor Code mirrors many provisions of Title VII and allows the Texas Workforce Commission Civil Rights Division (TWC-CRD) to handle complaints locally. You can submit claims to the TWC-CRD or the EEOC, depending on timeline and workplace circumstances. Our knowledge of these processes helps clients receive the protections available under both state and federal law.
What is Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment?
Quid pro quo harassment takes place when an employer or supervisor offers a workplace benefit in exchange for sexual favors. For example, a manager might promise a raise, promotion, or other career advancement for compliance, or threaten consequences if the person refuses. The law makes quid pro quo harassment illegal, and anyone subjected to it can file a complaint with the proper agency.
If you face demands for sexual favors linked to job benefits or treatment, notify the appropriate authorities as soon as possible. Not all cases are clear-cut; harassment can look different and doesn’t always involve direct offers or threats.
Houston’s diverse workforce can lead to power imbalances, especially in sectors like oil, healthcare, and education. When facing quid pro quo situations, employees in the local workforce should document specific events. Regional offices of the EEOC or TWC-CRD may serve as resources for those seeking to report harassment.
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What Sets Us Apart?
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Deep roots in Texas Employment Law
For decades, we have represented employees throughout Texas in workplace disputes ranging from discrimination and retaliation to executive compensation and wrongful termination. Our experience with Texas employers, courts, and employment laws helps us guide clients with confidence from the very beginning.
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A Strategy Built Around You
Every employment case is different. We take the time to understand your situation, your goals, and what matters most to you. Whether pursuing an EEOC charge, negotiating a severance package, or litigating through trial, we develop a strategy designed to achieve the best possible outcome.
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Boutique Firm. Personal Attention. Powerful Results.
When you hire our firm, you work directly with experienced employment law attorneys, not layers of associates. We provide the personalized attention of a boutique practice backed by the experience to handle complex employment disputes and high-value executive matters.
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Over 100 Years of Combined Employment Law Experience
Employment law is not one of our practice areas; it is our practice. With more than 100 years of combined experience devoted exclusively to labor and employment law, our attorneys have the knowledge, skill, and courtroom experience to protect employees at every stage of their case.
