You deserve to be treated with dignity and should feel safe at work. Workplace safety in New Jersey has definitely improved over the years, but at the same time, many employees continue to withstand unacceptable behavior and comments. Sexual harassment at the workplace is not something to be taken lightly. If you believe that someone in your office – could be a supervisor, colleague, or coworker – has been harassing you in different ways, you must consider consulting a Parsippany employment attorney. In this post, we are sharing some key details related to sexual harassment at work.
Examples of sexual harassment
Before we talk about two categories of sexual harassment cases, let’s understand the scope of the case. There are several examples of sexual harassment, including –
- Asking for personal number or details
- Insisting a coworker/colleague/junior for a date
- Insulting someone’s body, shape, dressing sense, or appearance
- Unusual complements that are offensive or sexual in nature
- Showing or sharing content that are NSFW (not safe for work)
- Passing comments about someone’s sexual orientation
- Sharing jokes that are of sexual nature
- Threatening to withhold benefits and opportunities based on demand for sexual favors
- Threatening to fire if sexual favors are not offered
- Groping, molesting someone in private or public
Gone are times when sexual harassment was only about male-to-female harassment. Such cases can impact anyone. However, no matter who is on the other side, do not withstand inappropriate conduct from anyone. Such actions are a clear violation of New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) and federal laws.
Forms of Sexual Harassment
Cases of sexual harassment can be classified into two broad categories.
- Hostile Work Environment. This refers to a situation when one is subjected to comments, innuendos, and actions that makes the work environment hostile and distressing for the victim. One may have to work in such an environment because they fear for their job or do not want to take action against sexual harassment and discrimination.
- Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment. In cases of Quid Pro Quo, the harasser is usually someone in a position of power and authority. For instance, if your boss promises you a new promotion in return for a “date”, it is a case of Quid Pro Quo.
Don’t withstand or withhold information related to sexual harassment. Talk to an employment attorney and discuss the scope of your case in detail. Your lawyer can also advise on the immediate steps you can take.