Are you being sexually harassed in the workplace? Or do you suspect you are being sexually harassed? Many people fail to realize that the majority of sexual harassment cases do not involve blatant actions. Rather, sexual harassment often occurs subtly. However, no matter how it happens, sexual harassment can create a hostile work environment for everyone in the workplace.
Listed below are signs that sexual harassment may be occurring at your job:
- Offensive jokes and pictures: It is common for co-workers to mingle at the water cooler to chit-chat and share jokes and funny YouTube videos. However, the line may be crossed if the subject matter is pornographic or sexual.
- Inappropriate touching: Is a co-worker or employer constantly finding an excuse to touch your shoulder, arm or back? Does he or she do so while talking to you in a flirty tone? If so, you may be the victim of sexual harassment at work.
- Others affected: You do not have to be the target of sexual advances or harassment to be affected by it. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, “The victim does not have to be the person harassed but could be anyone affected by the offensive conduct.”
- Quid pro quo: Quid pro quo is a Latin phrase that means ‘this for that.’ In the context of sexual harassment, it refers to a situation where an employee feels intimidated into performing sexual favors in order to keep his or her job or to obtain a promotion.