Sexual Harassment
Sexual Harassment can occur to both men and women in the workplace. Employees may feel unwanted sexual attention from their employers, supervisors, or even their own co-workers. These unwanted gestures, contact, or other inappropriate communication can inhibit your ability to work and make you feel extremely uncomfortable while at your place of employment.
Sexual Harassment at work is illegal, and those who are the victim of unwanted conduct have grounds for legal action. Sexual Harassment includes the following:
- Unwanted sexual advances
- Requests for sexual activities
- The discussion of sexual activities
- Off-color jokes
- Unwelcome or unnecessary touching
- The granting of favors to those who do participate in sexual activity
- Commenting on physical appearances
- Using inappropriate terms and/or using crude language
- Displaying sexually oriented pictures
This list is only a selection of the offenses included in what is considered Sexual Harassment. Any gesture, comment, image, or other form of communication offensive and sexually oriented is considered Sexual Harassment. Bodily harm or the harming of another person's work due to their gender is also considered Sexual Harassment and should be handled as such.
Sexual Harassment can greatly affect a person’s ability to work, to feel comfortable and safe in their environment, and can create unbearable work circumstances. These actions can also lead to hostile work environments and place other workers at risk.
All workers are protected against Sexual Harassment under the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) which states that Sexual Harassment violates title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Sexual Harassment is a serious issue in the workplace, and should be handled immediately to prevent further infractions.
Helpful Links:
