There are many reasons that a lot of workplace sexual harassment goes unreported. One of these reasons is that many people do not fully understand what constitutes sexual harassment. They have experienced something they feel uncomfortable with, but do not realize that those actions are enough to justify a sexual harassment claim.
Many people grew up in environments where there was a lot of what is now recognized as sexual harassment going on. But where they were, people often referred to it as something different. Perhaps they called it “boys being boys”, or maybe they termed it “flirting” or “just part of the job, honey.” Well, things have changed.
Touch is not required
No touching is required for an action to qualify as sexual harassment. In fact, often the actions that do involve physical touch may actually warrant a claim of sexual assault, rather than harassment. That can become a criminal matter, which may require the involvement of the police, not just a report to your employer or a civil lawsuit.
Examples of what many people have failed to report to their employers because they thought it did not qualify as sexual harassment include:
- Constantly asking someone out
- Constantly saying, “If only I were half my age…” suggestively
- Making jokes of a sexual nature
- Commenting on a person’s body in a sexual manner
- Commenting on a person’s clothes in a sexual manner
- Leaving explicit photos on someone’s desk
- Making “appreciative” noises when someone passes
If you are unsure whether what you have experienced is sexual harassment, are unsure how best to tackle the matter, or are simply having no luck reporting it to your employer, consider legal guidance.
