What Types of Sexual Harassment Are Recognized in the Workplace?
Sexual harassment is a very real concern for any person who is being mistreated on the job. Going to work every day can be a nightmare for anyone who is in this situation because they can feel scared, intimidated, marginalized, helpless and embarrassed from the moment they walk into work to the moment they can leave and get home.
In fact, many people find it difficult to shake these feelings just because they have left work. Victims' relationships, emotional stability and well-being can be significantly damaged when someone is being harassed on the job, even when they are off the job. However, when we look at legal definitions of sexual harassment, we need to focus on what is happening in the workplace or how misconduct is affecting a person's job in order to build a claim.
Generally speaking, there are two types of sexual harassment recognized by federal laws: hostile work environments and quid pro quo harassment.
A hostile work environment is described as a workplace in which a person is subjected to unwanted touching, comments, gestures, jokes, images and conversations that are offensive or abusive. Single instances of this behavior will typically not be grounds for a legal complaint. However, if this environment is pervasive and would cause a reasonable person to feel harassed or abused, it could be considered hostile.
The second type of sexual harassment is quid pro quo harassment, which means "something for something." This harassment involves a supervisor or other authority figure making job-related promises to employees based on the performance or non-performance of a sexual act. These promises may include a promotion, demotion, hiring, termination or the granting or revoking of job benefits. There only needs to be one exchange of this nature to warrant a claim for sexual harassment.
Because of how seriously a victim of sexual harassment can be affected by this type of mistreatment, it can be crucial to seek effective means of putting a stop to it and holding the offending parties accountable. In many case, this involves the filing of a lawsuit. Taking legal action can be a good way to regain some control and power over the situation and hopefully taking steps to recover, both personally and professionally.