How to Know if You are Being Harassed at Work

Aug 03, 2021

By Peter Friedmann

When it comes knowing whether you are being harassed at work, we can look at how the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) defines harassment as a first step. According to the EEOC, harassment is “unwelcome conduct that is based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.”

Harassment becomes unlawful, according to the EEOC, “where 1) enduring the offensive conduct becomes a condition of continued employment, or 2) the conduct is severe or pervasive enough to create a work environment that a reasonable person would consider intimidating, hostile, or abusive.”

With this definition of harassment, now we can look at how to know if you are being harassed at work.

Harassment in the workplace can take shape in many ways but it must be based on a protected class in order to be unlawful. Harassment based on a protected class might include any of the following:

Interference with work performance
Physical assault or threats
Intimidation
Slurs
Offensive jokes
Name-calling
Insults
Offensive pictures or objects
Pressure to date or have sex
Unwanted touching

Harassment can come from people such as:

The victim’s supervisor or manager
A co-worker
A non-employee
A supervisor or manager in another area

Examples of the kind of workplace harassment you might face include:

Psychological harassment
Digital harassment
Sexual harassment
Physical harassment
Verbal harassment

If you would like to clarify any of these points, you can reach out to an experienced sexual harassment attorney online.

What to Do If You Are Being Sexually Harassed at Work

Harassment, including being sexually harassed at work, is a problem that should be addressed. No matter the type of harassment, the EEOC encourages reporting the harassment. According to the EEOC, “the employer is automatically liable for harassment by a supervisor that results in a negative employment action such as termination, failure to promote or hire, and loss of wages.”

Sexual harassment is the most common form of harassment. Being sexually harassed at work typically appears in the following ways:

Unwelcome advances
Assault
Unwanted touching
A manager or supervisor demands sexual favors in return for career opportunities or continued employment

Being sexually harassed at work can also occur through sharing pornography, sexual jokes, and sending sexual messages.

Speaking with a sexual harassment attorney will allow you to weigh your options if you are being sexually harassed at work. The sexual harassment at work must be “severe or pervasive” though and working with a sexual harassment attorney will allow you to analyze your case and document an ongoing pattern of harassment you are facing.

Another important reason to work with a sexual harassment attorney is that there are several federal and state laws that address and cover harassment. An experienced sexual harassment attorney with the Friedmann Firm will be able to determine the most applicable laws that cover your situation. This will help to increase the likelihood of your success.

Reach Out to a Sexual Harassment Attorney

If you believe that you are being harassed or sexually harassed at work, reaching out to a sexual harassment attorney may need to be your next step. You can consult a sexual harassment attorney for advice, consultation, and learn more about the different actions you can take.

Based in Columbus, Ohio with offices in Cincinnati and Cleveland, the Friedmann Firm has a sole focus on working with clients on cases tied to employment law. To speak with an experienced sexual harassment attorney, call the Friedmann Firm at 614-610-9755. You can also request a free consultation online to learn more about how to know if you are being harassed at work.

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