Laws On Sexual Harrasment

Q: Do the sexual harrasment laws apply for employees who work for churches? a freind of mine who works ina church has had a problem with the assistant pastor touchy feeling type of man and shes told him over and over again i dont feel comfortable with this but con tinues to do the same thing.. she made a complaint to the pastor and he sided with the asstitant pastor.... is there anything she can do beside quit her job?.. if you have any info that would be of help i would appreciate it

A: Your friend should contact a lawyer. Some of the answers you're getting aren't exactly wrong, but they aren't exactly right, either. There are many laws that do not apply to churches. For example, Microsoft cannot refuse to hire you if you are not Catholic, but the Catholic Church can refuse to hire you as their electrician if you are not Catholic. Generally, sexual harassment laws do apply to religious institutions, but the free exercise clause

has a pretty broad reach, and depending on the state you're in, and the specific sexual harassment laws there. Additionally, your friend may have general tort lawsuits against the employer in his individual capacity. That's why you should call a lawyer and get specific legal advice. You're also getting a bit of bad advice here. First, paragraph (2) in the answer below applies to private membership clubs, and a church is not a private membership club (though it is exempt under 501(c)). Second, if you want or need to sue your employer, filing a complaint with the police isn't going to do a thing. You have to get a lawyer and file a lawsuit and the police have nothing to do with it.