Attorney | Labor Law
Sexual Harassment at Work — Rights & Actions
Experienced sexual harassment at work? The law protects you — and entitles you to compensation of up to ₪120,000 without proof of damage. Adv. Liron Yitzhak Elmaliach, discreet consultation at no cost.
What Is Sexual Harassment — A Broad Definition
The Prevention of Sexual Harassment Law (1998) defines sexual harassment broadly and comprehensively. The definition includes: an indecent act, repeated sexual advances after rejection, sexual advances where it is clear the other party is uninterested, demeaning references regarding sex, displaying pornographic material against someone's will, and abuse of authority relations for sexual services.
Important to know: harassment can be purely verbal — comments, jokes, questions, and responses of a sexual nature can all constitute harassment. Physical contact is not required. A single serious incident can support a claim — a repeated pattern is not required in every case.
The definition applies to all parties — men and women, between co-workers, between an employee and a supervisor, and between employees of different genders. Sexual harassment between work colleagues also obligates the employer to address it.
Employer Duties — Responsibility and Prevention
The law imposes specific duties on employers: appointing a sexual harassment prevention officer (in every workplace with more than 25 employees), publishing a clear written complaint procedure, and the duty to handle every complaint swiftly and effectively.
An employer who did not appoint an officer, did not publish a procedure, or did not handle a complaint — bears direct liability even if the harassment was committed by another employee. That is, neglecting prevention duties creates employer liability.
The employer must also protect the complainant from any harm following the filing — change of conditions, dismissal, salary reduction, hostile treatment. This protection also applies to witnesses who gave testimony.
Compensation — Up to ₪120,000 Without Proof of Damage
One of the great strengths of the sexual harassment law: compensation can be claimed without proof of actual damage — up to ₪120,000 for sexual harassment, and up to ₪240,000 if a criminal complaint was also filed. There is no need to prove economic or documented psychological harm — the harassment itself entitles the victim to compensation.
In addition, compensation can be claimed for actual damage: psychological treatment, lost wages, emotional distress, and reputational harm. Amounts can be very high in serious cases involving abuse of authority.
Initial consultation — discreet and non-binding. Adv. Liron Yitzhak Elmaliach accompanies victims of harassment through this complex process with sensitivity and professionalism.
Frequently Asked Questions — Sexual Harassment at Work
Everything you wanted to know about your rights regarding workplace sexual harassment
Discreet Consultation — At No Cost
Sexual harassment — the law protects you