Are you feeling uncomfortable because of how you are treated at work? You may wonder if you have a sexual harassment claim. There are two legal types of sexual harassment. If you believe you are a victim of sexual harassment at work, please get in touch with us right away.
We would be more than happy to meet with you for a confidential consultation to talk about your legal options. Call us today to meet our Rochester employment lawyer Michelle Cimino.
Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment
Among the types of sexual harassment that you will find in the workplace is “quid pro quo” sexual harassment. The term quid pro quo translates to “something for something” which is often a mentality of sexual predators in the workplace. The phrase used to be free of ill intent but has since become a sign of immorality.
If someone at work has ever tried to solicit a sexual act from you in exchange for something, they are sexually harassing you. They may be offering you a promotion or a raise if you provide them with a sexual act. They may also try to threaten your job or your position at the company if you do not give them what they are asking for.
This is a type of sexual harassment that does not necessarily involve physical contact. Someone can be guilty of quid pro quo sexual harassment without ever being face to face with you when they try to solicit sexual acts. They could send you digital messages with these demands and they would be as guilty as if they came into your office and asked you.
Hostile Work Environment Sexual Harassment
Types of sexual harassment in which you feel unsafe, intimidated, or demeaned at work are going to be considered a hostile work environment. Unlike quid pro quo, hostile work environment sexual harassment can be perpetrated by any, not just someone who holds more power than you.
The level of behavior that would create a hostile work environment has to be severe enough that it has impacted the way you perform your job. It may be trickier to point out this kind of sexual harassment as it is not one blatant offer or demand for sex.
You may have been inappropriately touched, had jokes or comments directed at your or someone around you, or continued demands to go out on a date with someone.
The only thing that would make this type of behavior legal is if the advances and conduct were welcomed. In that case, it would not be harassment. It would be flirting.
When someone behaves like this without you wanting them to, it can make you feel very uncomfortable and unsafe.
Do I Have a Claim?
If you could categorize your experience under one of these two types of sexual harassment, you very well may have a claim. You may be wondering what you do from here?
In order to determine with certainty whether you should try to file a claim, we encourage you to meet with our employment lawyer right away. We can go over your case to help you determine whether or not you have any legal basis to file a claim.
We will guide you through every step of your case to ensure that you get the justice that you deserve. Please know that if you report your sexual harassment to your company and they retaliate against you by demoting you or firing you, that is unlawful and would be grounds for a claim in and of itself.
Call Our Rochester Employment Lawyer Today
If you are looking for more information on the types of sexual harassment in the workplace, we would be glad to get you in to meet with our Rochester employment lawyer, Michelle Cimino, for a consultation. You can have your case evaluated and your questions answered.
