Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is defined as “illegal discrimination” in the workplace.   For someone’s behavior to be against the law, the behavior must be both unwelcome and considered offensive by the victim.  Offensive behavior might include sexual gestures, suggestive jokes, comments about sexual orientation, offensive pictures or unwelcome touching.

There are two legal categories of sexual harassment:

1. QUID PRO QUO—when a supervisor offers a job benefit to an employee in exchange for sexual favors.
2. HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT—when unwelcome sexual behavior at work affects an employee’s job performance.

Sexual harassment can be any of the three following types:

1. Verbal.  Most common form of sexual harassment. Includes sex jokes and comments about body.
2. Non-verbal.  Includes suggestive looks and gestures; giving unwanted gifts.
3. Physical.  Includes intentional touching or displaying private parts.

And, there are four levels of sexual harassment:

1. “Could Be”
2. Mild—no formal complaint needed
3. Moderate—requires warning letters, etc.
4. Severe—may require criminal charges

How to deal with sexual harassment:

• Speak up to the person doing the harassment.  Let him or her know right away that you are offended by the behavior or action.  Be direct!  Make sure the person understands you. 
• Get help if the behavior or action doesn't stop.  Let your boss, supervisor or manager know about the situation immediately.  Don’t ignore the problem since it will probably get worse as time goes on.  If you don’t get any help from your boss, go to your boss’s boss.  Ask a friend or co-worker for support. 
• Find out about your workplace policy on sexual harassment and follow the procedures.  You should have received a copy of this policy when you were hired.  Many organizations post the policy on bulletin boards in cafeterias or break rooms.  If you don’t have a copy of your company’s policy, check with your boss or your human resource department. 
• File a formal complaint if the behavior or action doesn’t stop—and you have tried steps 2 and 3.  You can file a formal complaint with your human resource department, the EEOC, and/or your state’s Department of Labor.  To find out how to contact  your state’s Department of Labor, check out this website:  https://www.dol.gov/general/location.