In our previous posts, we discussed some various aspects of workplace discrimination. Our most recent post was about sexual orientation discrimination. That post leads us into another very serious employment topic — sexual harassment. Sexual harassment of any form is a very serious issue that plagues many employees.
We want all employees to know that they don’t have to deal with unwanted sexual advances. No employee has to deal with inappropriate sexual comments or innuendos. Instead, all employees can take steps to make those types of actions stop.
It is important to realize that not all sexual harassment is totally obvious. Some forms of sexual harassment take on very sneaky forms. In the case of a hostile work environment, employees might be subjected to behaviors that have a sexual overture but don’t involve direct touching. Even that is a considered sexual harassment.
Having a supervisor suggest that sexual favors will win you benefits at work is considered quid pro quo sexual harassment. In some cases, there might even be penalties laid out if you don’t move forward with the sexual activities as requested by the supervisor.
We want employees to know that you can file complaints about sexual harassment even if the harassing actions aren’t directed at you. If you see someone at work making unwanted sexual advances toward another employee, you can make a complaint about sexual harassment.
Some employees worry about retaliation when they make sexual harassment complaints. We can help you to ensure that your rights aren’t violated simply because you choose to speak up against deplorable sexual harrssment.
