Types of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Two Types of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
When considering the possibility of pursuing a sexual harassment claim against an employer, it is important to determine what type of claim you may have. Sexual harassment claims can take the form of quid pro quo or hostile work environment harassment. Below we describe and provide examples of these two types of sexual harassment claims.
1. Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment
This occurs when a manager or another person who has authority over the terms and conditions of another employee’s work offers some sort of benefit in exchange for the employee’s submission to sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
Quid pro quo sexual harassment also occurs when a manager or another person who has authority over the terms and conditions of another employee’s work denies that employee some sort of benefit because the employee refused to respond to, or rejected, the sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
Example: An employee received a raise after submitting to their supervisor’s request to dress in tight skirts while at work.
Example: An employee’s shifts were reduced after refusing to submit to their manager’s request for a sexual favor.
2. Hostile Work Environment Sexual Harassment
This occurs when a manager or another person who has authority over the terms and conditions of another employee’s work makes sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or requests for other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature for the purpose of unreasonably interfering with the employee’s work performance by creating an intimidating, hostile, or sexually offensive work environment.
Example: A supervisor continuously calls an employee a sexually-charged nickname in front of her coworkers, sends her daily emails complimenting her on her appearance, and strokes her arm whenever he is in close proximity to the employee, creating an intimidating, hostile, and sexually offensive work environment.
If you have been subjected to sexual harassment or have questions about your right to be free from sexual harassment at work, please contact an employment lawyer at Sankey Law Offices today.