Garrison, Levin-Epstein, Fitzgerald & Pirrotti, P.C. Partner Nina Pirrotti was featured in a March 10 article in Law.com’s The Recorder discussing the increase of digital sexual harassment claims in the work-from-home era. You can read the full piece here.
Nina explains that the switch from in-person office settings to the virtual world enhances the danger that some employees may feel like the rules no longer apply, creating a false sense of liberation for those inclined to engage in sexual harassment.
“The perpetrator of sexual harassment is emboldened now that they are unfettered by the four walls of the office environment. Now that we’re all working remotely, we are much less formal. That level of informality tends to embolden people to do or say things they would not normally do or say,” Nina said. She noted that inhibitions that might govern behavior when workers interact in person diminish when they communicate electronically and that it is this cloak of anonymity that remote communication provides which can be empowering to potential harassers.
Nina has written extensively about employee rights and discrimination and on the #MeToo movement and workplace sexual harassment.
The lawyers of Garrison, Levin-Epstein, Fitzgerald & Pirrotti, P.C. have been advocating for employee and civil rights throughout Connecticut for more than 40 years. From our offices in New Haven, we provide award-winning representation in all aspects of Connecticut employment law.