What are the remedies for sexual harassment in the workplace?

In Washington, victims of workplace sexual harassment are afforded certain remedies. These remedies are designed to protect the victim from continued harassment and may include seeking financial restitution from those responsible for the harassment. Remedies can include the cessation of the unlawful behavior and the payment of compensatory damages for losses caused by the harassment. Victims may be able to receive compensation for lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, mental anguish, florid of privacy and other losses. Victims may also be eligible for an injunction, which orders the perpetrator to cease the harassment. If the perpetrator fails to comply with the injunction, they may be held in contempt of court and face sanctions. Employees may also be able to file a discrimination claim with the Washington Human Rights Commission. This could result in a wide variety of remedies, such as reinstatement of the employee, back pay, front pay, compensatory damages and/or punitive damages. Finally, an employer may be held liable for sexual harassment if the employer knew or should have known about the harassment and failed to take corrective action. In this case, an employer may be required to pay damages to the victim. It is important for victims of workplace sexual harassment to be aware of their legal rights and seek the remedies necessary to protect them from further harassment. If a victim is uncertain about their rights, they should contact a qualified employment law attorney for advice.

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