Are you being sexually harassed at work? Then, what is harassment and what is not?
If you’re not sure of the definition of sexual harassment in the workplace, then it’s time to take a step back and ask yourself about some unwelcome behaviors you’ve seen. If it’s serious, get in touch with a sexual harassment lawyer like the one here to understand your options.
Examples of sexual harassment in the workplace can happen anywhere, and it doesn’t matter who commits it either — whether it’s a coworker or someone higher up on the food chain than you are. No one deserves to feel unsafe while they go about doing their jobs.
If this sounds familiar to what has been happening to you lately at work, we have some good news! We created this guide so that people like you can learn more about stopping sexual harassment before it happens again and get justice against those who did them wrong.
In this guide, we’ll cover examples of sexual harassment in the workplace. Read on to learn more.
Unwanted Touching
This is one of the most common examples of sexual harassment in the workplace. There are various ways this kind of behavior manifests itself, like:
- Having your body rubbed against another person,
- Putting hands on private parts (e.g., breasts, buttocks)
- Squeezing legs together when they sit close to you
The list goes on!
This type of unwanted physical contact may not seem serious at first. But these types of actions often lead to more aggressive forms – ones where people might be forced to engage in sexual activities against their will.
If you feel like this behavior is happening to you, then it’s time for you to put a stop to it.
You have the right to feel protected and respected at your workplace! You can do something about this situation by reporting this kind of behavior immediately to an authority figure in the company.
Unwanted Sexual Advances
This is another type of behavior that’s considered a form of sexual harassment in the workplace. It can come from a senior manager or even your coworker.
There are several examples of harassment cases, where this kind of unwanted behavior happens; like:
- When someone tries to kiss or hug you
- Talks about their romantic life with you
- Asks for dates against your will
These actions have become so normal they go unnoticed by some people. That’s why it’s crucial for us all to realize what these kinds of things mean and how we should act upon them accordingly.
If any person makes an advance at work, then it creates an uncomfortable workplace.
If you’re in a situation like this, we suggest that you put your foot down and be direct about it. Say no or stop when someone tries to do these things. If the person doesn’t listen, then report them directly to an authority figure.
Sexual Pictures
This is another example of sexual harassment in the workplace that people are not aware of. You might receive unsolicited pictures or videos on your device from someone you know. Or, this may come from a stranger – like through email, social media, etc.
Regardless of who it comes from, if any person sends these kinds of images to you without asking for them, then they’re trying to harass you sexually.
These types of actions have become so normal nowadays. Some people don’t see anything wrong with sending random stuff online anymore, even though there’s a blatant violation here.
If you’re being sexually harassed by a manager using this method, then report it immediately. You don’t deserve to feel unsafe at your workplace.
Sexual Jokes
This is another form of sexual harassment in the workplace which people often don’t realize. These jokes might seem harmless at first, but this behavior can lead to more aggressive forms like touching and other types of unwanted advances. So, these actions should be taken seriously.
If any person tries joking about sex at work, then ignore them. If they continue to misbehave, report this kind of behavior immediately so that it can be dealt with accordingly.
Sexual jokes have no place in the workplace.
Gender-Based Stereotyping
This is an activity where people are put under unrealistic standards based on their gender or sexual orientation. These actions can be seen at work.
For example, women are expected to act submissive, not speak up about how they feel, etc. Or if someone tries to make you believe that there’s only one-way men/women should behave (like by dressing a certain way).
Stereotypes shouldn’t exist anywhere, especially not in workplaces. It can easily lead to discrimination and other forms of behavior that violate your rights.
You can deal with this kind of behavior by standing up for yourself and speaking your mind. Don’t let anybody make you feel bad about who you are or that there is only one way to be a man/woman.
If any person tries imposing these kinds of stereotypes on you, do not hesitate to let them know how it makes you feel. This will help maintain a positive work environment.
Homophobic Remarks
This is yet another form of sexual harassment in the workplace. Homophobia can be found anywhere, and it’s a big problem that needs to be addressed.
These kinds of remarks are made by men or women who have been conditioned through stereotypes. This kind of behavior might seem normal to some, but it’s harmful to others, especially those belonging to the LGBT community.
If someone tries making these kinds of comments at work, then report this immediately. You don’t deserve to feel discriminated against because you’re different from what society has deemed “normal.”
If you’re unable to resolve the matter in-house or you’re being sexually harassed by the manager, then get in touch with a sexual harassment lawyer.
Common Examples of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Am I being sexually harassed at work? Sexual harassment can occur in many different forms at work. It’s important to keep yourself safe so that you don’t have to deal with anything negative while working.
If you feel unsafe or uncomfortable, then report this behavior immediately and stand up for your rights!
You can also seek legal help if you feel that your rights are being violated at the workplace. Your company should have a strict policy against any form of sexual harassment, but sometimes it doesn’t work out as expected.
We hope that this post helped you understand the examples of sexual harassment in the workplace. For more interesting content, keep reading our articles.
