Burlington County Sexual Harassment Lawyer – Experienced Legal Help for Victims of Workplace Sexual Harassment in Burlington County, NJ
Workplace sexual harassment can cause profound emotional distress and hinder professional growth. Employees in Burlington County, New Jersey, are protected under some of the strongest anti-harassment laws in the country, including the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD). At the Charles Z. Schalk Law Firm, we provide compassionate, knowledgeable, and aggressive legal representation for individuals facing harassment in their workplace. We fight to protect your rights and hold negligent employers accountable.
Understanding Workplace Sexual Harassment in New Jersey
Sexual harassment is a form of gender-based discrimination and can take many forms, including:
- Verbal harassment: Sexual comments, inappropriate jokes, or propositions.
- Physical harassment: Unwelcome touching, assault, or intimidation.
- Visual harassment: Displaying sexually explicit images, gestures, or objects.
- Written harassment: Emails, texts, or messages with sexual content.
In Burlington County workplaces, harassment can seriously impact mental health, job security, and career advancement. Recognizing your rights under NJ law is the first step toward justice.
Types of Sexual Harassment
- Quid Pro Quo: This occurs when job benefits, promotions, or continued employment are conditioned on submission to unwelcome sexual advances. Examples include a supervisor promising a raise for sexual favors or threatening termination for refusal.
- Hostile Work Environment: This arises when repeated or severe unwelcome sexual conduct creates an intimidating, offensive, or hostile workplace. Examples include persistent sexual comments, display of inappropriate material, or unwanted physical contact.
Legal Protections in Burlington County, NJ
- New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD): Protects all employees, including independent contractors, against sexual harassment, regardless of employer size. Allows for emotional distress and punitive damages, and prohibits retaliation.
- Employer Responsibilities: Employers must maintain anti-harassment policies, provide training, and promptly address complaints. Failure can result in liability.
- Retaliation Protection: Employees cannot be demoted, terminated, or punished for reporting harassment or participating in investigations.
Burlington County Sexual Harassment Lawyer Services
Charles Z. Schalk represents clients throughout Burlington County, including Mount Laurel, Willingboro, Moorestown, Burlington City, and Medford. Our services include:
- Case evaluation and legal consultation
- Investigation and evidence collection
- Negotiation and mediation with employers
- Litigation in state and federal courts, including the Burlington County Superior Court
- Retaliation claims
We approach each case with discretion, empathy, and a results-driven strategy to secure compensation for lost wages, emotional distress, and punitive damages, while holding perpetrators accountable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What should I do if I experience sexual harassment at work in Burlington County?
A: Document incidents, report the conduct to your employer, and consult a qualified sexual harassment attorney to understand your rights under NJ law.
Q: How long do I have to file a sexual harassment claim in Burlington County?
A: Generally, complaints must be filed within 180 days with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights (DCR) or 300 days with the EEOC, though exceptions may apply.
Q: Can I sue my employer directly for sexual harassment?
A: Yes. The LAD allows victims to file lawsuits in New Jersey Superior Court, including claims for lost wages, emotional distress, and punitive damages.
Q: What is considered a hostile work environment?
A: A hostile work environment involves unwelcome sexual conduct that is severe or pervasive enough to interfere with your ability to work, making the workplace intimidating or offensive.
Q: Will my employer retaliate if I file a complaint?
A: Retaliation is illegal under NJ law. An experienced attorney can protect you from demotion, termination, or other adverse actions.
Contact a Burlington County Sexual Harassment Lawyer
If you or a loved one has experienced sexual harassment in Burlington County, do not wait. Contact Charles Z. Schalk Law Firm today for a confidential consultation. Let our experienced attorneys protect your rights and guide you toward justice. Call (908) 526-0707 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your appointment.
“Mr. Schalk obviously obtained a very successful verdict in a very very difficult case. This Court had an opportunity to observe Mr. Schalk throughout the trial. He certainly performed at an extremely high level . . . And to obtain the verdict that he did is a rare case . . . I feel very strongly that Mr. Schalk’s work in this case was at a very high level, a superior level and that if the 100 percent enhancement of the lodestar is in the rare case this would be the rare case in which Mr. Schalk would be entitled to that.”*”
