Sexual harassment remains the most common form of harassment in workplaces. The only problem is that the offender may not know that he or she is sexually harassing another employee.
But here is the thing. There are different types of sexual harassment, but the most common ones are physical sexual harassment, verbal sexual harassment, and visual sexual harassment.
Below are the three classes of sexual harassment in the workplace that you may never have known:
1. Physical Sexual Harassment
If you go to the workplaces and conduct research, then you will find out that the most common form of sexual harassment is physical sexual harassment.
This class of sexual harassment is seen when one touches or rubs up against his or her colleague at the workplace. Usually, when this is done, the party affected will be distracted or uncomfortable in some way.
For example, if employee A goes to employee B’s desk and starts touching him or her in a way that will distract or make him or her feel uncomfortable, then that will be considered as physical sexual harassment.
Another example is when employee A goes ahead to block employee B’s way with his or her body. If this employee B is uncomfortable with this, then it will be considered as physical sexual harassment, and he or she should be reported.
If you are a victim of sexual harassment, then it’s time you reported the matter to a sexual harassment lawyer to help you get your justice.
2. Verbal Sexual Harassment
In as much as physical sexual harassment is the most common, verbal sexual harassment is also evident in most organizations.
If you didn’t know how verbal harassment arises, then here is what happens: when someone makes comments or remarks that are disrespectful, then that would be considered verbal sexual harassment.
FEHA regulations clearly state that as long as an employee can understand the verbal sentiments from the other party, then that will be considered as harassment.
For example, if employee A nicknames his or her colleague B a nickname such as Big Butt Celina, then that should be considered as verbal sexual harassment, which is not ethical in a workplace. A workplace should be a place where employees meet to do their daily obligations. Not where employees nickname their colleagues.
In the real sense, a workplace should be meant for purely professional duties, but that is changing. There is an increase in cases of sexual harassments which is sad. More and more employees feel sexually harassed every day.
Not only will sexual harassment reduce the productivity of an employee, but also make him or her feel afraid of going to work. He or she will be imagining of the constant verbal sexual harassments he or she has been subjected to on a daily basis.
3. Visual Sexual Harassment
With the advancement of technology, videos and photos are common. Now, visual sexual harassment occurs when employee A shows a video or a picture to employee B that makes him or her feel uncomfortable.
For example, employee A may show employee B a video of him having sexual intercourse with another person. This will be considered as visual sexual harassment/
Bottom Line
Sexual harassment should not be accepted anywhere, whether at the workplace or not. If you experience such cases, kindly report the matter to relevant authorities.
