Sexual Harassment
Published: 11/06/2009 by MO
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is a common enough problem that a series of laws have been enacted addressing it. Most workplaces in the United States not only follow the sexual harassment laws that are on the books, but usually have their own set of rules and laws governing any situation where sexual harassment may occur. Between these two strong forms of protection, it would seem like the problem of sexual harassment should be largely eliminated in society today; unfortunately, it is not. The biggest problem lies in the fact that many people are unaware of precisely what constitutes sexual harassment, become unwitting victims - and never seek any legal recourse for their problem.
Defining Sexual Harassment
Under most legal definitions, sexual harassment refers to coercion, bullying or intimidation of a sexual nature. It can also include an inappropriate and unsolicited promise of favors or rewards in exchange for sexually related favors. Sexual harassment can range from inappropriate remarks and gestures to full blown sexual abuse or assault. The seeming ambiguity of many kinds of sexual harassment is what makes many people uncertain of whether or not they are legally being harassed. As a general rule, any behavior that makes you markedly uncomfortable needs to be taken seriously.
Examples Of Sexual Harassment
A good way to get an idea for what constitutes sexual harassment is familiarizing yourself with some common examples of it. A few broad examples of what can be considered sexual harassment are outlined below.
# Sexual gestures
# Sexual comments directed at parts of a person's body
# Inappropriate, sexual touching
# Spreading rumors about a person's sex life
# Touching oneself sexually in front of others
# Discussing private sexual matters in front of others
# Showing inappropriate sexually related pictures, stories or objects to others
# Telling sex-related "dirty jokes"
# Making sexual propositions or requesting sex in exchange for favors
Are You Being Sexually Harassed?
If you've looked over the previous list of examples, have educated yourself a bit about what constitutes sexual harassment and believe that you are being sexually harassed, you need to take action. Sexual harassment in the workplace is something that employers and their human resources departments take very seriously; if an employer is found to be unresponsive or not supportive of an employee leveraging claims of sexual harassment, it can be held legally responsible. Therefore, it is imperative that you document the kinds of harassment you've been experiencing and bring it to the attention of your company's human resources department at once.
Legal Recourse For Sexual Harassment
After raising a complaint with your employer and the human resources department, you will probably want to further protect yourself by enlisting the help of an experienced attorney. Many lawyers specialize in sexual harassment cases; even if your employer seems to be supportive, it is always best to cover all of your bases by getting qualified legal advice from an experienced professional. Your rights must be protected at all costs, and having a lawyer by your side is the best way to guarantee that they are.
