As a business owner, getting sued is likely one of your worst nightmares. If you run a large firm, litigation can have a negative impact on your business in many ways. Aside from the financial consequences of legal action, litigation can create problems with regard to business partners, customers and staff members.
Moreover, a lawsuit can tarnish the reputation of your company. Some lawsuits, such as those centered around allegations of sexual harassment, are especially damaging. It is critical to evaluate your options and handle the case appropriately.
How many businesses end up in court over harassment?
According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s site, the agency received over 24,000 charge receipts due to harassment in the workplace during fiscal year 2020. Moreover, courts awarded over $137 million to those who filed charges due to harassment. During fiscal year 2019, the EEOC received over 26,000 charge receipts due to allegations of harassment.
How can you safeguard your business amid a harassment case?
There are many issues to consider if you are facing legal action over harassment. For starters, gather as much evidence as possible, from eyewitness accounts to text messages, emails and video evidence. Sometimes, businesses end up in court over false allegations of harassment even though no violations occurred.
Unfortunately, businesses falsely accused of sexual harassment and other forms of harassment often struggle with regard to their defense due to the stigma surrounding these cases. Make sure you prepare for the potential consequences of the case and try to remain positive, even though this is very difficult for many business owners in this position.
