How to Recognize Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Sexual harassment can cost a company millions and damage employee morale. Nip it in the bud by identifying it early with this information.
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You Will Need
- Observation skills
- Documentation
Steps
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Step 1
Identify sexualized social environments
Identify sexualized social environments, such as ones where sexual joking is prevalent.
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Step 2
Recognize quid pro quo harassment
Recognize that any unwelcome sexual activity that the harasser ties to employment decisions or benefits qualifies as quid pro quo sexual harassment under federal law.
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A supervisor asking for a date in exchange for a promotion is practicing quid pro quo harassment.
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Step 3
Spot a hostile work environment
Familiarize yourself with what constitutes a hostile, offensive, or intimidating work environment, such as vulgar language, sexual innuendoes, pornography, or inappropriate physical contact.
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Step 4
Document harassing conduct
Document harassing conduct, particularly if the perpetrator is a supervisor. Log each incident, including dates, times, and witnesses’ names.
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Men suffer sexual harassment, too, especially those whom others perceive as less masculine.
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Step 5
Remember collateral victims
Remember that the victim of sexual harassment does not have to be the person harassed but could be anyone that the offensive conduct affects.
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Step 6
Count on frequency
Count on frequency to prove harassment – the courts will not consider one isolated incident harassment unless the conduct was extreme.
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Did you know? Almost half of all working women have experienced some form of harassment on the job.
