What are my chances of collecting unemploymentif I quit due to sexual discrimination and harassment?
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What are my chances of collecting unemploymentif I quit due to sexual discrimination and harassment?
I quit my job because my boss made inappropriate comments about women. I went to HR, but they said, “Take into consideration his cultural background (he’s from Pakistan). However he made such comments as :”You know how women are”; “We were telling blonde jokes, because you know how dumb blondes are” (I am blonde); “The workplace is harder on you because you are a woman.” He also made references to women not being able to learn things. I also quit because he was putting an unreasonable workload on me. I originally gave my 2 weeks notice but 2 days later things got so bad I told HR that I was leaving immediately. Should I file a suit with EEOC?
Asked on June 11, 2011 under Employment Labor Law, Missouri
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
It would definitely be worthwhile contacting the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, your state's labor, civil rights, or equal employment agency, and/or consulting with a private attorney. Sexual harassment and discrimination are illegal in employment; if you have been a victim of it, which seems as if it may have been the case, based on what you write, you may have a claim and may be entitled to compensation. In addition, the harassment may have been enough that even though you techhically quit, that you could be considered to have been "constructively terminated" (or forced out) and therfore entitled to unemployment compensation--though in the future, since quitting voluntarily weakens your case, you'd be better off (if this ever happens again) to stick things out while contacing the EEOC or an attorney. Good luck.
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