SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: West Virginia and Ohio
No one should have to endure sexual harassment as a condition of earning a living. Whether it takes the form of unwanted advances, explicit comments, inappropriate touching, or a hostile work environment that makes it impossible to do your job, sexual harassment is illegal under both federal and state law. At Klie Law Offices, our employment law attorneys represent workers throughout West Virginia and Ohio who have been subjected to sexual harassment at work. We help our clients hold their harassers and their employers accountable and recover the compensation they deserve.
We handle sexual harassment cases from our offices in Buckhannon, Clarksburg, Morgantown, Parkersburg, and Canton, Ohio.
What Qualifies as Sexual Harassment?
Sexual harassment is a form of sex-based workplace discrimination prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the West Virginia Human Rights Act, and Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4112. It encompasses a wide range of unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that affects an employee’s working conditions. The law recognizes two primary categories of sexual harassment: quid pro quo harassment and hostile work environment harassment.
Quid Pro Quo Harassment
Hostile Work Environment
Conduct that can contribute to a hostile work environment includes sexual comments, jokes, or innuendo, displaying sexually explicit images or materials, unwanted touching, hugging, or physical contact, staring, leering, or making sexual gestures, repeated requests for dates after being told no, spreading sexual rumors about an employee, making comments about an employee’s body or appearance, and sending sexually explicit messages or images. Courts evaluate the totality of the circumstances — including the frequency of the conduct, its severity, whether it is physically threatening or humiliating, and whether it unreasonably interferes with the employee’s work — to determine whether the hostile work environment threshold has been met.
Who Can Be a Victim of Sexual Harassment?
Employer Liability for Sexual Harassment
Supervisor Harassment
Coworker and Third-Party Harassment
Client Reviews
Reporting Sexual Harassment
If your employer fails to act on your complaint, you have the right to file a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the West Virginia Human Rights Commission, or the Ohio Civil Rights Commission. These agencies investigate harassment complaints and can pursue enforcement action against the employer. Filing an agency charge is also typically a prerequisite to filing a private lawsuit under Title VII.
Retaliation Is Illegal
Damages in Sexual Harassment Cases
Helpful Shorts From Our TikTok
Klie Law Office F.A.Q
1. What should I do immediately after a personal injury accident?
2. How do I know if I have a valid personal injury claim?
3. How much is my personal injury case worth?
4. Will my personal injury case go to court?
5. How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer at Klie Law Offices?
Civil Litigation Team
Civil Litigation Attorneys
Administrative Assistant
Civil Litigation Paralegals
Civil Litigation Practice Coordinator
Civil Litigation Law Clerk
Sexual Harassment and Constructive Discharge
West Virginia Sexual Harassment Protections
Ohio Sexual Harassment Protections
Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4112 prohibits sexual harassment and applies to employers with four or more employees — a broader reach than both Title VII and the West Virginia Human Rights Act. Ohio law allows claims to be filed with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission or directly in state court. Ohio courts have recognized both quid pro quo and hostile work environment claims and have awarded significant damages in sexual harassment cases. Our Canton office attorneys are experienced in pursuing sexual harassment claims under Ohio’s specific statutory framework.
What to Do If You Are Being Sexually Harassed
Why Choose Klie Law Offices
Sexual harassment cases require attorneys who are sensitive to the deeply personal nature of these claims and aggressive in holding employers accountable. At Klie Law Offices, our employment law team handles sexual harassment claims with the discretion our clients deserve and the tenacity their cases demand. We represent employees at every stage — from initial complaint through litigation — and fight to recover the maximum damages available under federal and state law.
You Do Not Have to Tolerate Sexual Harassment
If you are being sexually harassed at work, you have legal options. Contact Klie Law Offices for a free case evaluation, or schedule an appointment online. We serve clients from our offices in Buckhannon, Clarksburg, Morgantown, and Parkersburg in West Virginia, and Canton in Ohio.
Office Locations
Buckhannon
Buckhannon, WV 26201
Parkersburg
Parkersburg, WV 26101
Clarksburg
Clarksburg, WV 26301
Morgantown
102, Morgantown, WV 26508
Canton, OH
Suite 606
Canton OH, 44718
The first thing you’ll notice when you come to our Law Offices is that we’ll listen to your story. We want to know what you’re going through and what you need. Then, we’ll explain how West Virginia law applies to your specific situation and what your legal options are. There are no cookie-cutter answers here. We create a legal strategy tailored to each client’s individual needs.
Depending on your situation, we will find the right path forward. We are adept at resolving your legal matters through negotiation and mediation whenever possible. But we also won’t hesitate to take your case to trial if that’s what it takes to get the best possible outcome for you.
If you’re facing a legal challenge and need someone in your corner, don’t wait to get the help you deserve. Contact Klie Law Offices today to schedule a confidential consultation and take the first step toward a solution that works for you.

























