subject: Knowing the Two Types of Sexual Harassment [print this page] The term "sexual harassment" is defined by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) as any request for sexual favors, unwanted sexual advances, and other kinds of physical or verbal conduct that are sexual in nature. It is also considered as a form of sex discrimination, which is strictly prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
It has been recognized that a man can also be sexually harassed by someone in the workplace, though records revealed that most of sexual harassment charges are filed by women.
Today, even people who belong in the same gender can sexually harass one another. For example, a male employee is often bombarded with pictures of naked woman. He can sue his male employer or co-workers if these pictures make him uncomfortable because he is a married man and a devout Catholic.
Here are other examples of sexual harassment:
Attempted or actual rape
A supervisor orders an employee to go out with him and threatens to fire her if she refuses
Sexual comments
Licking lips, throwing kisses, facial expressions, and winking
Spreading nasty rumors regarding an employee's sex life
Giving obscene gifts
Elevator eyes (looking at an employee up and down)
Patting, stroking, hugging, or kissing
Touching an employee's body or clothing
Cat calls
Whistling at a female employee
These examples will fall under one of these two types of sexual harassment:
Quid Pro Quo- It happens when an employer, supervisor, or anyone in authority requests for sexual favors in exchange for promotions or salary raises. In this type of sexual harassment, the victim may feel that he needs to agree to the harasser's demands in order to have a successful career.
Hostile work environment- It covers malicious actions like telling sexual jokes and showing porn magazines. An employee may sue for harassment if the actions of his employer or co-employee already create an offensive or intimidating work environment.
This type of harassment deals with the emotional trauma the victim is suffering, unlike Quid Pro Quo which deals with tangible economic injury or employment action like termination or demotion.
If your employer or co-employee is making malicious actions against you, the most important thing that you should do is to consult a Los Angeles employment attorney. This legal expert will determine if you have a strong case against the harasser and represent you during hearings and settlement talks.
