How To Professionally Handle Being Sexually Harassed At Work

Connecting with other employees is easier now that the workplace is beginning to acknowledge the importance of connections. Happy hours after or even during work, are one example, not to mention the whole department having access to your cell phone number and friending you on Facebook. As getting to know your co-workers and supervisors happens casually as you would your friends, the line between what is considered appropriate conversation and body language becomes blurred.

Sending late-night texts, hovering a little too closely, and making inappropriate comments might seem harmless enough at first, but these are just a few “friendly” gestures that are considered a violation of your rights.

Sexual harassment is still widespread across the country. It comes across in more subtle forms that leave individuals questioning the seriousness of what may be making them feel uncomfortable or violated. This results in harassment going unreported and, often, women’s integrity being diminished. Being a victim of sexual harassment takes a toll, affecting emotional health and making for awkward relationships at work.

A survey conducted by Cosmopolitan reported that among women ages 18 to 34, roughly one in three had been sexually harassed at their place of employment. The majority reported sexual harassment involving comments made out loud, touching, and sexual advances and offensive texts or emails.

For fear of losing their jobs or not being taken seriously, people keep quiet, and about 70% of sexual harassment cases go unreported. How do you go about reporting sexual harassment when you don’t want to cause conflict in the workplace? And how do you know what’s considered sexual harassment?

What Sexual Harassment Looks Like

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission defines sexual harassment as “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature.” Sexual harassment is seen as two types:

• Quid pro quo: When your boss offers you a raise, promotion or other benefits in exchange for sexual favors. Quid pro quo only applies when the person harassing you has the power to grant or withhold benefits.
• Hostile work environment: When you are exposed to sexual comments, advances or materials. This environment can be created by supervisors, coworkers or customers.

While direct sexual advances and sexist jokes or remarks are more clearly recognized forms of sexual harassment, other examples may include the following:

• Comments about women’s bodies
• Pressure for dates
• Invading a person’s space
• Inappropriate gifts
• Nonverbal behavior such as staring or making lewd gestures
• Exposing employees to sexually implicit or pornographic photos

What to Do If You Have Been Sexually Harassed

Fortunately, employers have policies in place regarding sexual harassment, and legislation is coming around to protect women in the workplace. If you are a victim of sexual harassment, take these steps to ensure your security and comfort and work:

• Talk to your co-workers. Are they experiencing the same harassment? Do they notice advances being made at you? Make them aware of your situation.
• Directly confront the harasser. Talk directly to the person who is causing the issue and demand that the harassment stops. If that doesn’t work, move on to the next steps.
• Locate the company policy. Check your employee handbook and report the misbehavior to the directed person. It is your employer’s responsibility to take action against sexual harassment when the correct person is made aware of it.
• Document everything. Keep a log of every comment, joke or advance made toward you. Providing these specific details further supports your claim to your employer.
• Report to an outside agency. If you report the incident to your employer and the harassment continues, report it to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or your state’s fair employment agency. You can also get an attorney involved.

Seek Support

Being a victim of sexual harassment takes its toll on women’s psychological and emotional health. Seek support from organizations that lead action for the women’s legal rights, such as Legal Momentum and the American Association of University Women. With assistance from the law, women’s rights activists and supportive organization, no woman who experiences sexual harassment should feel alone.

Featured Image via Screengrab of Wolf of Wall Street