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While workplace sexual harassment is illegal under numerous federal and state laws, many supervisors and coworkers still commit this heinous crime. Perpetrators of sexual harassment use many different methods to harm their victims.
Learn about the main types of workplace sexual harassment and how to take legal action against those responsible.
Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Sexual harassment can take many different forms, including physical, verbal, visual, electronic and more. Specific examples of each type of sexual harassment include, but are not limited to, the following:
Physical: Unwanted touching or groping
Verbal: Unwanted sexual comments, jokes, or insinuations
Visual: Images of a sexual nature on a computer or in a workstation
Electronic: Emails, photos, or text messages of a sexual nature
Additionally, employers may commit quid pro quo harassment, one of the most commonly recognized forms of sexual harassment. Quid pro quo harassment essentially means “this for that,” and often involves a superior doing the following to a subordinate:
Stating that a person’s job benefits are made contingent on the provision of sexual favors, usually to a supervisor of the employee who has the authority to make decisions about employment actions
Stating that the rejection of a sexual advance or request for sexual favors will result in a tangible employment detriment, such as a demotion or termination
Even if the employee gave in to the request for sexual favors, it does not mean there is not a case. The fact that the supervisor requested sexual favors in the first place is enough to constitute a valid sexual harassment claim.
If you have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, it can feel overwhelming to take on your employer. However, it’s important to keep in mind that federal and state laws protect you from any negative employment action from your employer for reporting sexual harassment.
We encourage you to contact our Louisville employment law attorneys at Charles W. Miller & Associates. We’re well-versed in this area of law and we can help you fight for your rights after experiencing workplace sexual harassment.
Contact us today at (502) 890-9954 to schedule a free, confidential case evaluation.