If you have been accused of sexual harrassement, what are your rights?
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If you have been accused of sexual harrassement, what are your rights?
I was accused of harrassing a female employee. I was shocked because I never have and never will sexually harrass anyone. The person went to HR and complained that I had touched her 2 months prior. I need to know what my rights are? How do I sue her for deflamation of character. I need to know how to protect myself from these false accussations. Also, how do I get the company to complete its investigation and give me the results?
Asked on May 21, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, Florida
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
You effectively have no rights to force them to complete the investigation and give you the results--the laws in regard to alleged sexual harassment are overwhelmingly structured to protect the purported victim.
If someone is defaming you, you could bring a legal action seeking compensation and/or a court order (injunction) barring them from continuing to do so. Defamation is the knowing or reckless making of untrue statements of fact (so opinions or true factual statements, no matter how harmful, are not defamation) made "publically" (which includes to any third parties; e.g. coworkers, supervisors) which damages a person's reputation and/or makes others less likely to work with him. If you believe you are being defamed, you should discuss the matter with an employment or personal injury attorney.
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