Sexual harassment at work is a serious problem in the United States, with 78% of sexual harassment cases filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) coming from women in the workplace.
Being subject to sexual harassment in the workplace can be uncomfortable. You expect to be treated with respect in a place that commands professionalism. But when this disrespect happens, all you can do is seek justice to be recompensed for your sufferings.
Unfortunately, sexual harassment continues to happen in the workplace despite the laws that aim to protect workers, says a Pasadena sexual harassment lawyer. But you can find a significant number of resources available if you ever experience sexual harassment.
Let’s discuss this issue in more detail below:
Defining Sexual Harassment: Legal Perspectives
In the event of sexual harassment, which is a very common workplace issue, it is useful for both parties to get acquainted with the legal definition of sexual harassment. It is an offense comprising sexual acts that are not approved and that cause the workplace to be menacing, unfriendly, or intolerable.
The range of different actions could be broad, e.g., one could be verbal harassment, inappropriate touching, or sending dirty pictures to the workmate. It is going to be much easier for you to identify the very particular types that would be forbidden in your environment if you hold the definitions in your mind.
A highly supportive job environment is crucial to making employees feel secure and respected—at least up to the point where they can call the shots on what is and is not acceptable harassment.
Never forget that you can file a complaint for any misdeed and not be afraid of repercussions. Awareness, then reaching an agreement, would result in the whole staff being trained, and their flourishing and inclusion in the workplace being assured.
Types of Sexual Harassment: Quid Pro Quo and Hostile Environment
There are different classifications of sexual harassment. It’s important to understand their distinctions to help you determine which situation you are in. It also determines the penalties that a convicted individual may face, according to sex crime attorney Kevin Stockstill.
There are two main types discussed: quid pro quo and hostile environment. The quid pro quo is when a person from a superior job pool insists that the subordinate render a sexual favor in exchange for a promotion or raise as a kind of payment or reward. Simply put, it is the power dynamics that make subordinate workers feel walled in.
When unwanted sexual conduct affects work productivity or creates a threatening atmosphere, it creates an environment for sexual harassment. This can imply all kinds of sexually explicit comments or jokes that are not welcome, as well as sexually oriented behaviors or advances.
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Subtle Forms of Harassment: Recognizing the Signs
Harassment does not only constitute direct sexual advances or solicitations. There are also subtle forms of this indecent behavior that you need to be aware of.
Harassment can also be a form of unprofessional behavior in the workplace. It can be in the form of rude behaviors towards you. Harassment is also in the form of dirty jokes or unsettling comments that make others uncomfortable or intrusive remarks about your personal life.
Such approaches will create an environment of uncertainty around your standing at the workplace. It is one tiny thing that goes a long way toward personal identity, like being insulted by others in meetings or being left out of team-building initiatives.
Early recognition of those signs might aid in saving their trust and human interactions—which are at the very core of a supportive workplace. These subtle forms are standard operating practice, especially within a highly respectful and understanding workplace, allowing whimsicality to universally become accepted.
The Impact of Sexual Harassment on Individuals and Organizations
Harassment takes a toll on someone’s mental health, affecting their productivity and general state. Emotionally, victims suffer anxiety and tension. Sometimes, they also have broken relationships with those working at the same skill level. In turn, it affects trust between colleagues, resulting in poor teamwork.
The organization is in the suffering process and has to bear the high costs of turnover and absenteeism. If the organization does nothing when harassment occurs, it is creating an atmosphere in which no one is feeling welcomed or honored.
The first step to establishing such a culture of work where trust is the predominant value and the growth and well-being of all is guaranteed is to identify and extricate the harassment.
Steps to Take if You Experience or Witness Harassment
You must document the incidents of harassment. Include the smallest details, with dates and times. These can be used as proof when making an official complaint.
Try to talk to the other person if you can convince them. There are instances when harassers are unaware of the extent of their behavior or don’t pay much attention to it. However, if they don’t stop, you may submit a complaint to either your supervisor or the HR department.
Don’t feel discouraged. Many organizations are supportive toward such cases. Then inform someone you trust about what is happening. You would not only be able to facilitate for yourself but for others on the side as well by speaking out.
