Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Sexual harassment can take many forms. It can cause anyone to feel alienated and nonproductive. No one should have to put up with this sort of treatment. If you feel that you may be the victim of sexual harassment in your workplace, make sure to find out what your rights are and what you can do to correct it.

Facts About Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment can occur in a variety of forms. Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors or verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature can all be forms of sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment can occur in many different ways. The victim does not have to be a woman. The harasser can either male or female and the victim does not have to be of a different sex.

The victim does not even have to be the person who is being harassed. The victim can be anyone who finds this type of behavior offensive.

The harasser can be the victim's employer, co-worker, non-employee or supervisor in another area.

The conduct of the harasser must be unwelcome.

Illegal sexual harassment does not have to cause financial loss or physical injury to the victim.

For more information about what constitutes sexual harassment in the workplace, please visit www.eeoc.gov/facts/fs-sex.html.

Hostile Environment in the Workplace

Sexual harassment can also take the form of a hostile work place. There are also many forms this can take.

This is usually in the form of demeaning or sexually explicit photographs, stories, jokes or threats. The behavior must be pervasive and must create a hostile, intimidating or offensive work environment.

Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment

This type of sexual harassment occurs when a sexual act or relationship is requested by a supervisor, manager or person of authority in return for career advancement, not firing an employee or promotions or raises.

Factors in Determining Sexual Harassment

There are several things which will determine whether or not sexual harassment has occurred. Some of these may be:

• Severity of the harassment
• Behavior of the harasser
• Behavior of the victim
• Frequency of the alleged harassment
• Size and nature of the business
• Whether or not the alleged hostile environment would be considered hostile by a reasonable person

Steps to Take if You are Being Sexually Harassed

If you believe that you are being sexually harassed, you should find out what system your employer has in place to file a complaint. It is helpful if you can file a complaint with your employer. You should try to use any complaint or grievance system available to you.

If you decide to file a charge of sexual harassment against your employer, you can visit www.eeoc.gov/facts/howtofil.html. You can also call the EEOC, or the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment Commission at 800-669-4000.

There is a time limit on low long you have to file a charge of sexual harassment. You will have between 180 and 300 days from the last event to file a charge. Each state will have slightly different laws and interpretations of Federal laws, so be sure to contact the EEOC or an attorney to determine your exact rights.

Have You Been a Victim?

If you have been the victim of sexual harassment, you are probably feeling many different things. You may be feeling inadequate, stressed and unproductive at best. At the worst, being sexually harassed may have deep and long lasting feelings.

It may help you to put an end to this type of behavior. Be sure to know and understand all of your rights so that you can act in your own best interests. You may also want to consult with an attorney to be sure that you are going to be protected.

Make sure that you follow your employers guide lines to filing a claim of sexual harassment with in the company. It is quite possible that if you make your employer aware of this behavior that it will stop.

You do not have to put up with sexual harassment in your workplace. There are many laws and guidelines designed to protect workers from unwanted sexual advances and hostile work environments. This article is designed to be a helpful guide, but is not to be substituted for legal advice or council, nor is it a complete guide. Please check out the website of the EEOC, www.eeoc.gov, or consult with an attorney for further information.