Sexual harassment in the workplace is an ongoing problem that affects moral as well as productivity among your employees. Even if the employee is not the victim, know about ongoing sexual harassment within the organization affects everyone.

The federal laws against gender discrimination also prohibit sexual harassment in the workplace.

As en employer, you have the responsibility to prevent sexual harassment. Having a policy in place, strong repercussions will help deter this type of behavior.

Sexual harassment is any advancement (sexual in nature) or conduct that intimidates or is offensive to that individual. Any conduct, whether physical or verbal, that makes another employee feel uncomfortable is potentially harassment. This applies to both genders.

So exactly what is Sexual Harassment?

The definition of Sexual Harassment is "any form of sexually related behaviour that is not wanted and that is in any way humiliating or intimidating". The definition goes further to say that it is behaviour that any reasonable person should have expected would offend, humiliate or intimidate. Workplace sexual harassment, as defined, is a wrongful, derogatory, and repetitive act of someone within the workplace.

The Most Common Forms of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Knowing what sexual harassment looks like is the first step in preventing it from taking place. Sexual harassment can be written, verbal or physical. Both males and females can be the victims of sexual harassment.

Why speak up?

Sexual harassment is a form of abuse. This bullying activities is often about power over the more helpless individual regardless of age, race, sex, religion or class.

Sexual harassment can happen anywhere – at home, at the workplace, and public areas. It is an affront to a person’s dignity and should not be tolerated. Workplace sexual harassment is mainly egregious as it often involves an abuse of power and makes it complicated for a person to earn his or her living.