10 Signs someone is sexually harassing you

• You feel uncomfortable
• You are experiencing unwanted physical contact
• You are being treated differently based on your sex
• Saying “no” has no impact
• You were asked for a sexual favor
• You feel bullied
• You are being subjected to jokes or images of a sexual nature
• You are not the only victim
• You become a victim of revenge
• You feel unsafe

Let’s start at the top.

If your question is

• Am I being sexually harassed at work?
• What are the signs of sexual harassment?

Then please look at this article:

1.  You feel uncomfortable

Sexual harassment, to a degree, is measured subjectively and takes the expression “bad vibes” to a whole new level.  Although the workplace is to remain professional, unless you work from home, you will have social interaction with other coworkers, setting the scene for most inappropriate behaviors.

While some inappropriate behavior in the workplace may be blatant, like a slap on the buttocks, other conduct may be subtler such as innuendos or sensual touching disguised as an accident. Keep in mind that even text messages or emails can be a mechanism for inflicting unwelcome sexual behavior.  Whether advances are obvious or indirect, the main issue is when they are unwanted. 

• So what if you are unsure?  One way to identify possible sexual harassment is to go with your gut.
• Is the behavior toward you making you feel uncomfortable? When you do not want someone to make advances toward you, this is a feeling that indicates sexual harassment.

If you are uncertain, listen to the bells and whistles; let your natural discomfort be an initial guide.  Once you have acknowledged that you are not comfortable with the behavior towards you by someone at the workplace, the next step would be to consult with an employment lawyer.  An employment lawyer will be able to gather the information you provide and decide whether you may be a victim of sexual harassment.

2.   You are experiencing unwanted physical contact

A common form of unwanted advances in the workplace is physical contact.  If someone at your work is touching you and it is unwelcomed touching, this may be a form of sexual harassment.  Some examples of physical contact may be rubbing shoulders, pushing up against another, leering, hugging, expressions of physical affection, using objects to touch another, or even using one’s body to block you from entering or exiting a room.   Even if physical contact is marketed as accidental or harmless, within reason, you have the right to feel safe at work and free from unwelcome touching.

Again, if you are unsure, it is always best to speak with a legal professional who can appreciate the particulars of your situation and identify your rights in the circumstances.

3.  You are being treated differently based on your sex

Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination. Another sign that you may be a victim of sexual harassment is if you are being treated a particular way because you are a man or because you are a woman.  This means that you, as an employee, may be singled out and treated adversely based on your sex.  For instance, an employer or superior may only treat the female employees in a particular way or just the male employees in a particular way.  A comment may be made in regards to your sex “Hey, you’re a sexy woman, let a real man take you out”.

If you are being singled out and treated differently, the treatment hurts you, and the reason for the treatment is based on your sex, then this may be considered sexual harassment.

4.  Saying “no” has no impact

It is technically not against the law to date someone at work; it is not ideal but not necessarily illegal.  The law does get involved however when someone at work makes advances toward someone where it is not consensual.  In a situation where someone at work has made it known they are romantically interested in you but you have said “no” and yet they continue to pursue you, this may be considered sexual harassment.

5.  You were asked for a sexual favor

Quid pro quo is a situation where your superior at work or in a position of power, offers employee benefits in exchange for sexual favors.  For example, your manager asked you out on a date and in exchange, he promised to give you a promotion.

Another form of quid pro quo is when this person in a position of power threatens to impose adverse action against you if you reject the request for a sexual favor.  An example of this would be if your supervisor gave you the ultimatum to go on a date with him or her, and should you refuse, you would be reprimanded.

6.  You feel bullied

Being bullied at work can revolve around behavior that is driven by romantic or sexual advances.  This type of work environment may be considered a hostile work environment.  If you are being bullied into going on a date with someone at work or being teased about things concerning your body or sexuality, or gender, chances are you may be considered a victim of sexual harassment. Being pressured or made to feel uncomfortable concerning matters of a sexual nature may qualify for legal action against an employer and should not be tolerated.

7.  You are being subjected to jokes or images of a sexual nature

Even if you are not being hit on or the object of someone’s affection, you may still be sexually harassed by images or pranks that are sexual.  Even emails, texts, videos, and cartoons, are mechanisms considered to potentially deliver forms of sexual harassment to employees at the workplace.  It remains sexual pestering if an individual at work, whether it be a manager or another fellow employee, subjects you to sexual anecdotes or images.

8.  You are not the only victim

If other employees including yourself have been treated in a particular way that is sexual, chances are, you are indeed a victim of sexual harassment.  Establishing a pattern of sexual harassment amongst other employees, including yourself, may strengthen a sexual harassment claim.  By showing that other particular employees have been subjected to similar treatment, a victim-employee may be able to present supportive evidence in their claim.

9.  You become a victim of revenge

Job security is an essential aspect of maintaining an employment position and if you have denied a superior’s advances at work, you may feel like your job is in jeopardy.

If you have rejected another employee or superior and they have punished you for that in the workplace, this may be considered a form of retaliation in addition to sexual harassment.

10.  You feel unsafe

Feeling unsafe in the workplace due to an environment that is sexual is a strong indicator that you are a victim of sexual harassment.

Training to prevent workplace sexual harassment?

Each state in the United States of America has its employment law. California has many laws that regulate employment. California’s employment laws and regulations protect both employees and employers. This body of law is complex and difficult to understand. Employers and employees are often unaware of their rights and obligations. During a consultation, a Sexual Harassment Lawyer might ask if an employee received sexual harassment training from their employer.

California employment laws require that employers provide training for sexual harassment prevention to employees. What training does it provide to prevent sexual harassment? Although the seminars provide a lot of information about the laws prohibiting sexual harassment, and the definitions that the law uses to define certain conduct, sexual harassment is still a common issue in employment law litigation. These types of cases would be handled by a Sexual Harassment Lawyer.

The debate currently revolves around whether training seminars are acceptable in theory. They inform employees on-site about inappropriate behavior and sometimes forget to mention that the employee has the right to file a complaint about sexual harassment. The other argument is that the information only provides a superficial understanding. The law and regulations are only as effective as the information that is recited. This can lead to lengthy legal jargon that does not connect with all employees. Simply reiterating what the law prohibits is talking to employees, not to them. Effective training is a type that will influence how employees and employers behave in a workplace. The rent update in training programs affirmed this argument.

The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), released two types of training sessions in October 2017. One for employees and one for employers. In creating the new programs, the Commission adopted a different approach. The previous programs only spoke the law and gave legal definitions. These programs will focus on acceptable behavior rather than promoting prohibited behavior. 

Employers and employees will be able to share information about acceptable behavior to help them make better decisions in the workplace. Employers and employees will have a common understanding of acceptable behavior if they share information.

Employers have more options to create a harassment-free workplace with the new training sessions. These training sessions can be obtained through the Commission’s training facility. The new programs do not guarantee that a workplace is free from sexual harassment, even though they are available. Employees must be informed about the laws regarding sexual harassment and their rights. Employees should also be aware of other forms of sexual harassment, such as sending nudes, gossip, and trade-offs.

If you ask yourself “Am I being sexually harassed at work?” or “How do you know if someone is sexually harassing you?” or you look for “signs of sexual harassment at the workplace” and you feel that you may be experiencing sexual harassment at workplace and need a consultation to know your rights, please contact a sexual harassment law firm, such as Stevens and McMillan.

………………………………………..