Sexual harassment in the workplace can take on many forms and sometimes it can be hard to figure out if someone is crossing the line.
If you are unsure whether what you are experiencing qualifies as sexual harassment, ask yourself some of the following questions to help you decide.
1. Are you treated unfairly because of your gender?
According to Business Insider, sexual harassment is not always about sex. If you feel like you are not receiving promotions, opportunities or money-making shifts due to your gender, this may count as sexual harassment.
2. Is someone making you uncomfortable by being suggestive?
If someone is making explicit comments or actions and it is making you uncomfortable, that is a big red flag. This can range from veiled compliments, such as telling you how sexy you look, to trying to get you to meet someplace alone outside of the workplace.
3. Are your attempts to stop the situation ignored?
If you have someone that is making you uncomfortable in the workplace, you may try telling them to stop. If your request goes unanswered and the behavior continues or intensifies, you most likely have a strong case for a sexual harassment suit.
4. Are you offered incentives for sexual favors?
If an employer offers you a promotion or a raise in exchange for sleeping with him or her, this falls under the sexual harassment category. This behavior is illegal, and your employer can face strong repercussions.
5. Are you afraid of retaliation if you speak out?
If you are afraid that you will lose your job for reporting someone at work, you are not alone. It is common for victims to feel that their abusers have some sort of power over them. Their behavior is criminal and anti-retaliation laws exist to protect victims.
If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, you are likely experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace.
