How Do You Report Sexual Harassment to Your Company? - BT Law Group, PLLC
Episode notes
From BT Law Group, PLLC - How Do You Report Sexual Harassment to Your Company? explores the essential steps employees must take when facing workplace harassment and why proper reporting is critical under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Florida Civil Rights Act. This episode breaks down the legal importance of notifying your employer, how failure to report can impact your ability to recover damages, and how the Ellerth/Faragher framework established by Burlington Industries, Inc. v. Ellerth and Faragher v. City of Boca Raton shapes employer liability.
Listeners will gain a clear understanding of what legally qualifies as sexual harassment, including quid pro quo harassment and hostile work environment claims. The discussion walks through real workplace examples—ranging from unwanted advances and inappropriate comments to severe incidents like sexual assault—while explaining how these behaviors are evaluated under federal and Florida law. The episode also highlights how organizations like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR) play a role in protecting employee rights.
The conversation features insights tied to the legal strategies used by employers and employees alike, drawing on the experience of Jason D. Berkowitz and Anisley Tarragona. It covers how to report harassment internally through HR, what to include in documentation, and how Miami-Dade County’s Human Rights Ordinance adds another layer of protection. The episode also addresses complex situations, such as when HR is unresponsive or involved, and explains alternative reporting paths through compliance departments or external agencies.
Finally, the episode dives into what happens after a report is filed, including employer investigations, protections against retaliation under Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway Co. v. White, and the strict deadlines for filing claims with agencies like the EEOC and FCHR. With practical guidance on preserving evidence, understanding anonymous reporting options, and taking the next legal steps, this episode equips listeners with the knowledge needed to protect their workplace rights and move forward with confidence.
BT Law Group, PLLC
3050 Biscayne Blvd STE 205, Miami, FL 33137
305-507-8506