The EEOA (Equal Employment Opportunity Act) put forth some guidelines in order to identify sexual harassment.
Under these guidelines there are two major forms of sexual harassment:
- Quid Pro Quo – This Latin term literally means “something for something”. Under Quid Pro Quo, sexual harassment occurs when an employee (of any gender) must put up with sexual advances to protect or maintain their a) job b) promotion c) wage increase d) favorable performance evaluation.
- Hostile Environment - Sometimes there isn’t a clear “exchange” of sexual favors for job security or promotion. That doesn’t mean that sexual harassment isn’t occurring. If a sexually demeaning and hostile work environment is created, that is also sexual harassment. Methods of creating a sexually demeaning work environment include repeated sexual comments, jokes, posters of nude women (or men), innuendo, and cat calls/shouting. Systematic sexual comments are discriminatory and create a hostile environment for workers.
The best steps to take to report sexual harassment are to tell your immediate supervisor and Human Resources (HR). In the case that the sexual harassment is perpetrated by your boss, go to their superior or straight to HR. If you are discouraged by your boss or HR to file a complaint, keep in mind that you have the right to file such a complaint and the corporation can be taken to court for refusing to address the situation.
