Sexual Harassment

Learn more about sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment can occur in many different social settings, such as the workplace, the home, school, churches, etc. Harassers or victims may be anyone. In most modern legal contexts, sexual harassment is illegal.

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Sexual harassment at work is a form of illegal employment discrimination. The law defines sexual harassment as unwelcome verbal, visual, non-verbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature or based on someone’s sex that is severe or pervasive and affects working conditions or creates a hostile work environment. To be illegal, sexual harassment must be unwelcome. Unwelcome means unwanted and non-consensual.

Hostile Work Environment

A hostile work environment refers to a situation in which the employer, supervisor, or co-worker does or says things that make the victim feel uncomfortable because of his or her sex. These could be comments about you being inferior, sexual comments or being treated differently than people of the opposite sex are treated.

“Quid pro quo” is Latin for “this for that.” It is a trade. When the trade made or suggested is on the basis of sex, it is illegal. This would be the case if an employer made sex a prerequisite to getting something in the workplace. For example: “Sleep with me, and you’ll get a promotion.” That’s illegal.

Sexual Harassment Behavior
Conduct “of a sexual nature” or “based on sex.”

Examples of Sexual Harassment

Many different kinds of verbal, physical, nonverbal, or visual conduct of a sexual nature may be sexual harassment. Here are some examples:

Verbal or Written

Commenting about a person’s clothing, personal behavior, romantic relationships, or body;
Making sexual or sex-based jokes or innuendoes;
Requesting sexual favors or dates;
Spreading rumors about a person’s personal or sexual life; and/or
Threatening a person for rejecting or refusing sexual advances or overtures.

Physical

Impeding or blocking someone’s movement;
Inappropriate touching of a person’s body or clothing;
Assaulting (touching someone against their will or without their consent).

Nonverbal

Staring at a person’s body;
Making derogatory gestures or facial expressions of a sexual nature;
Following a person around;
Displaying or sharing posters, drawings, pictures, screensavers, or emails of a sexual nature.

Sexual harassment does not have to be sexually suggestive. Harassing conduct can also be unlawful if the behavior is based on your sex. For example, if you are a woman working in construction on an otherwise all-male job, and you are the only one who is being criticized and verbally abused even though your job performance is the same as your male co-workers, such conduct may be a form of unlawful sexual harassment.

Workplace Sexual Harassment Help

What to do if you're being sexually harassed at work.

1. Document the harassment
If any offers or threats are being made or you feel you are being harassed due to how you identify, write down the date, time, place, and any witnesses to the occurrence. Don't worry if there are no witnesses. Harassers are usually too smart to do it in front of others.

2. Keep your notes in a safe place
Don't put them on your work computer, in a desk drawer, or somewhere where your employer can take them.

3. Gather your evidence
If the harasser is texting, emailing, or sending cards or notes, keep copies of these messages. Make sure you take a screenshot of any texts or Snapchats and print them so you don't lose them if you no longer have your device. Print out emails, too, and keep them in a safe place.

4. Report the harassment at work
The Supreme Court says that reporting sexual harassment is a requirement before you can take legal action. You have to give the employer a chance to correct the situation. Make sure you've followed your company’s sexual harassment policy, if there is one, and reported your concern to the correct person. The employer should have alternate people to report it to in case the designated reportee is your harasser.

5. File a complaint with the EEOC
If you've already reported harassment at work and the employer won't take action, filing with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is the next step. Depending on your state, you have 180 or 300 days from the date of discrimination to file. You are protected from retaliation if you file a charge of discrimination with the EEOC

6. Find legal advice
Response can connect you with free and confidential legal resources and offer you individual support and advocacy services.