Have you endured same-sex sexual harassment at work?
For many people, the term sexual harassment makes them think of a manager pressuring someone into certain sexual activities or co-workers of the opposite sex making dirty jokes at the expense of one employee. Those are both potentially actionable forms of sexual harassment, but they are far from the only situations in which someone can fight back against inappropriate conduct by their coworkers.
Same-sex sexual harassment can be a serious concern as well. Regardless of your sexual orientation, you should not have to accept unwanted advances or abuse from people of the same sex as you at work. What are two of the common forms of same-sex sexual harassment that occur in the workplace?
Unwanted advances or quid pro quo offers
Maybe there is someone on your team at work who is same-sex attracted, but you are not. Despite having made your personal preferences clear to your co-workers, someone keeps hitting on you, trying to flirt with you or touching you without your consent.
They make you feel uncomfortable and unhappy, but you worry that you are not actually in a position to speak up about your feelings. Anytime someone repeatedly flirts with you despite your request that they stop or they offer you workplace benefits in return for sexual favors, they may have engaged in sexual harassment.
A hostile work environment
Perhaps you are a woman who gets along fine with your male coworkers, but your female coworkers consistently spread rumors about you or talk about your appearance or sexual history. Social ostracization and abuse from your coworkers that make you feel unsafe or vulnerable on the job may also constitute sexual harassment.
Your employer should not allow a hostile work environment to develop, especially if your coworkers target you because of your secondary sex characteristics or your sexual preferences. As with any other form of sexual harassment, documentation will be key to getting your employer to intervene for your protection or bringing a claim against the business for its failure to act.
Understanding when you’re uncomfortable work situation may cross the line and become sexual harassment can help you stand up for yourself and anyone else who might work at the same company.