Need help dealing with workplace Sexual Harassment? Talk to Meredith Holly of Eris Conflict Resolution

    Recently, I had the pleasure of reconnecting with Meredith Holley of Eris Conflict Resolution. Ms. Holley is a  Workplace conflict mediator, communication coach, lawyer, and bestselling author. Her book Career Defense 101 is a must read for any women striving to make it in the professional arena. Career Defense 101. 

She and I have a lot in common. We both live and work in the pacific northwest. Both are, or until recently were, plaintiff's employment lawyers working to uphold worker's rights. Both have been subject to workplace sexual harassment. In Ms. Holley's case she was able to address the sexual harasser in a way that allowed her to continue working with them safely for years afterward. She no longer litigates, but she does share her knowledge and skills to enable other workers to survive targeting, harassment, and other forms of hostile work environments without losing their professional momentum - or their minds! 

A couple of weeks ago, I met with Ms. Holley as a guest on her podcast. We discussed one of my first employment law cases. Merrin v. Teller (2019). See the complaint (aka lawsuit): here. In that case, an employment lawyer subjected his paralegal to years of unwanted sexual attention / harassment. I happened to have worked at that law firm for a very short stint, with that paralegal and her managing attorney, and was somewhat aware of  the attorney's proclivities. So when Michelle came to me, after being sexually harassed and eventually assaulted at work,  I knew I had to take the case. I don't have a link to the podcast session yet but I will upload it when I do. In the meantime, subscribe to the Workplace Defense Podcast! to learn more.

Additionally, in the meantime, here is a TEDx talk on stopping sexual harassment its causes and solutions: Click Here. Here's a slightly dated but clear article on defensive steps you can take to confront harassers: Psychology Today Article.

There are as many ways to confront sexual harassers as there are people. Just make sure you understand that confrontation does not always work, and you may need additional support that might not be available from your company's human resources department. Forbes Article. 

Lastly, not every personality conflict gives rise to a legal remedies. Find out what is and isn't actionable under the law here; EEOC. 

If you are suffering sexual harassment at work in Washington State, please contact me for a free consultation. I am to help if I can.