Search Search. For more information about this temporary freeze, click here. This guide is not legal advice. Laws and legal rules frequently change and can be interpreted in different ways, so Equal Rights Advocates cannot guarantee that all of the information in this Guide is accurate as it applies to your situation. Workplace sexual harassment takes many different forms. It can come from a coworker, a supervisor, or a customer or client, and ranges from unwanted touching, inappropriate comments or jokes, or someone promising you a promotion in exchange for sexual favors.
What Kinds of Behaviors Are Considered Sexual Harassment? | Nolo
Sexual harassment is any unwanted or unwelcome sexual behaviour where a reasonable person would have anticipated the possibility that the person harassed would feel offended, humiliated or intimidated. It has nothing to do with mutual attraction or consensual behaviour. Sexual harassment is unlawful under the Sex Discrimination Act in different areas of public life, including employment, service delivery, accommodation and education. Some types of sexual harassment may also be criminal offences. Example: A young woman was employed at a medical centre.
Have you ever felt uncomfortable in your workplace? Sexual harassment occurs when someone is subjected to unwanted sexual advances, petitioned for sexual favors, or physically or verbally abused. For example, you could be guilty of harassing a man if you make offensive comments about men in general.
Connie hears her first discussion of sexual harassment as part of a Training and Development session. She realizes then that when her supervisor clips sexually suggestive notes to her assignments, such as "I work better after hours", "Let's talk about this over drinks" or "How about discussing this at my place tonight? Connie sees that she has tolerated this behavior hoping that it would go away. It hasn't.