KGMI News
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – With workplace sexual harassment dominating the headlines, we looked at legal protections afforded to workers in Washington.
Bellingham defense attorney and KGMI legal analyst Jeffrey Lustick said we have laws in place that allow people who have been harassed to sue their employer.
The laws also give harassed employees whistle-blower protections, so they can’t be fired for bringing complaints forward.
Lustick said Washington’s is “a very good state law, that a lot of states don’t have.” The law gives employees in Washington who are alleged victims of sexual harassment “a good way to go about having their investigations looked at by a state agency who can provide them with guidance and support,” Lustick said.
As for someone who’s accused of sexual harassment, Lustick recommended they obtain legal counsel right away to protect themselves from inaccurate claims, and to get assistance in mediation.
Lustick said employers are smart to quickly terminate someone who is accused of harassment to avoid legal liability and to send a strong message that the behavior won’t be tolerated.