Sexually harassing behavior may not be clear. Therefore, most employees find it difficult to determine if they are being sexually harassed. It is clear that the person who suffers from the harassment perceives that something is wrong and they always suffer discomfort.
Anyone who has experienced sexual harassment in the workplace knows how stressful and scary it is. The most common response is to avoid the harasser or deny the seriousness of the situation. The least common action is to report the harassment.
Learn about some of the main signs of sexual harassment so you can take immediate action the next time you experience harassment:
#1 Unwanted Physical Contact: Some examples are pinching, touching, kissing, grabbing, patting, and hugging with sexual intent. This type of aggression is the most common because it is an illegal invasion of the personal space of the recipient if he does not agree.
#2 “Quid Pro Quo” lawsuits: “Quid Pro Quo” is a Latin term that means “Something for something in exchange”. For example, when a superior requests a sexual favor from a subordinate in exchange for some type of labor action. The employment action could be something like a raise, a promotion, or eliminating the chances of being fired.
#3 Sexualized language and jokes: Sexually oriented gestures, jokes, and comments fall into this category of sexual harassment. These activities can occur in person, through text messages, phone calls, videos, or social media posts.
#4 Gender-Based Discrimination: Statistically, women are more likely to become victims of sexual harassment in the workplace, but the reality is that anyone can be sexually harassed.
#5 Sharing personal information you don’t want to know: If someone shares personal information that you’re uncomfortable hearing or don’t want to hear, it’s a subtle form of sexual harassment.
Are you a victim of any of these actions? Call us today.
