Take A Stand Against Sexual Harassment At Work
Posted on: 18 February 2019
You have the right to work for your employer without being harassed or feeling as if the workplace is hostile. Sexual harassment is when you are asked to engage in sexual activity, and it is made clear to you that rejecting the request will affect your employment. It is also when you are in a work environment where there are crass sexual jokes, unwanted advances, or an overall hostile environment that makes you feel uncomfortable. When you are upset about going to work because of sexual advances or crude behavior of your coworkers, it's time to talk with sexual harassment attorney services about your circumstances.
Quid Pro Quo Harassment Cases
In a quid pro quo sexual harassment case, you must be able to prove a number of things against the harasser. First, you will need to show that there were unwanted sexual advances or requests, touching, or groping. In order to have a case, you will also need to prove that these advances were acknowledged either by rejection or a submission to the advances. Last, you must show that employment decisions would hinge on the acceptance of the sexual advances. For example, if an employer promises a promotion as a reward for sexual submission, this is a quid pro quo harassment case.
When There Is Hostile Work Environment
A hostile work environment can occur when an employee is subjected to verbal or physical behavior that is of a sexual nature. The behavior must be unwanted, meaning not encouraged by the victim, and in fact, does create a difficult environment in which to work. When the victim is not able to perform their job because of the hostility created, there is the potential for a sexual harassment case based on a hostile environment.
In a hostile work environment, the behavior can come from peers or from a superior. For example, if sexual, crude jokes are told in the break room, this can make someone uncomfortable. While employees shouldn't have to be told the behavior is not welcome, once they are the behavior can't continue. If crude jokes are still an issue, it is up to the employer to take care of the problem as soon as possible.
If you have been sexually harassed at work or you are working in a hostile work environment, you have rights. Talk with a sexual harassment attorney about your options when it comes to filing a lawsuit against your employer.
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