As an employee, there is a chance you will experience sexual harassment at some point in your career. Many people experience it multiple times, and there does not seem to be much chance that sexual harassment is going to cease happening anytime soon.
One of the best ways to fight workplace sexual harassment and reduce the amount that occurs is to report it when it happens. While some cases are reported, a large number remain hidden, allowing perpetrators to continue unchecked. Of those that do, not all reach a successful conclusion, as employers sometimes ignore or dismiss the accusations. Taking a step further and filing a claim may be necessary if this happens and there are two ways to do this.
1. Quid pro quo
A quid pro quo claim can be brought when the sexual harassment involved a trade. For example, the harasser told their victim that they would help them get a promotion in exchange for a sexual favor. Or, perhaps a colleague promised to keep quiet about an error someone made in exchange for something in return of a sexual nature.
2. Hostile work environment
Employers are not legally required to ensure that everyone has a nice time when they go to work. They are, however, required to ensure that employees are protected from sexual harassment. When someone is a victim of such aggression, they may be justified in claiming that their workplace is somewhere they no longer feel particularly comfortable spending time. It could be due to one incident of sexual harassment or several smaller incidents.
Those affected by sexual harassment may want legal guidance to learn more about the steps they can take to deal with it.