Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Sexual harassment occurs when unwelcome conduct based on sex interferes with an employee’s ability to do their job or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment. Harassment may come from supervisors, coworkers, or even clients—and employers have a legal obligation to prevent and address it.

At Baldwin & Vernon Trial Attorneys, we represent employees in Kansas City and throughout Missouri and Kansas who have been subjected to sexual harassment at work. Our practice is focused on employment litigation and real courtroom advocacy, because these cases often require employers to answer for behavior they ignored, excused, or enabled.

What Sexual Harassment Can Look Like

Sexual harassment does not have to involve physical contact. It often takes the form of repeated or escalating behavior that makes the workplace unsafe or degrading. Common examples include:

• Unwanted touching or physical proximity

• Sexual comments, jokes, or innuendo

• Requests for sexual favors

• Comments about appearance or body

• Explicit messages, images, or emails

• Retaliation after rejecting advances or reporting misconduct

Harassment can be subtle or overt, but the impact on employees is real and lasting.

Hostile Work Environments and Employer Responsibility

Sexual harassment often creates a hostile work environment—one where an employee feels threatened, humiliated, or unable to perform their job. Employers are required by law to take complaints seriously and respond appropriately.

When employers fail to act, minimize complaints, or protect the harasser instead of the employee, they may be legally responsible for the harm caused.

Retaliation After Reporting Harassment

Many employees experience retaliation after reporting sexual harassment. This may include demotion, termination, reduced hours, increased scrutiny, or sudden negative evaluations.

Retaliation for reporting sexual harassment is illegal. Employees have the right to raise concerns without fear of punishment.

Missouri and Federal Sexual Harassment Protections

Employees in Missouri are protected under state law from sexual harassment in the workplace. Victims of harassment may be entitled to recover lost wages, emotional distress damages, and other relief through litigation.

Sexual harassment cases are highly fact-driven and often depend on documentation, credibility, and employer response. These cases require careful preparation and a trial-ready approach.

Why Trial Experience Matters in Sexual Harassment Cases

Employers rarely admit to harassment or failure to act. These cases often hinge on credibility, patterns of behavior, and whether an employer took meaningful steps to protect employees.

At Baldwin & Vernon Trial Attorneys, we prepare sexual harassment cases as if they will be tried. That preparation creates leverage and ensures employers are held accountable for the environments they allow.