Employers have a duty to create safe workplaces for their employees. Unfortunately, despite years of awareness campaigns, sexual harassment is still rampant in most Kentucky workplaces.
If you are sexually harassed at work, both state and federal laws permit you to pursue the responsible party for the resulting damages. However, like in any legal matter, you cannot file a sexual harassment claim at your convenience. You must act within the statute of limitations period.
Understanding the statute of limitations
A statute of limitations is a time limit set in law within which you can sue the perpetrator for damages resulting from the sexual harassment incident. Your ability to sue for damages can be greatly compromised if you let the statute of limitations run out.
Suing for sexual harassment under federal law
Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act prohibits employers from discriminating against employees based on their age, race and sexual orientation among other protected characteristics. This statute also protects employees from any form of sexual harassment at work.
If you opt to pursue a sexual harassment claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), you need to act within 180 days from the date of the alleged harassment incident. This deadline can be extended to 300 days if your state has agencies that prohibit sexual harassment at work as well. And Kentucky has such agencies, which means that you have up to 300 days from the date of the incident to file a sexual harassment claim.
What if you are suing under Kentucky law?
Under Kentucky law, you have one year from the date of the harassment incident to file a claim. Again, it is important that you do not let this statute of limitations period run out.
Safeguard your rights
You have the right to work in an environment that is free of any form of inappropriate sexual advances. If you believe someone is sexually harassing you at work, you need to put a stop to it right away. Find out how you can safeguard your rights while pursuing a sexual harassment claim in Kentucky.
