All harassment, including sexual harassment, is a form of employee misconduct which undermines the integrity of working relationships. Victims of harassment feel embarrassed, demeaned, intimidated and violated, leading to increased absenteeism, lost productivity, safety problems, turnover, and legal headaches. Many people would appreciate a quick snapshot of a few problematic behaviors.
Sexual Harassment Top 20
- Sexual innuendos or stories.
- Sexual comments
- Unwanted pressure for sexual favors
- Unwanted deliberate touching, leaning over, cornering. or pinching
- Unwanted sexual looks or gestures
- Actual or attempted rape or sexual assault
- Unwanted letters, telephone calls, or materials of a sexual nature.
- Employees speculating about and betting on a co-worker’s sex life.
- Using software programs at work that are sexual in nature.
- Using email to communicate remarks about someone’s physical attributes
- Referring to an adult woman as a girl, honey, babe, hunk, or doll
- Unwanted pressure for dates.
- Whistling at someone
- Cat Calls
- Neck or shoulder massage, giving personal gifts
- Turning work discussions to sexual topics.
- Making sexual gestures.
- Personal questions about social or sexual life
- Kissing sounds, howling and smacking lips
- Telling lies or spreading rumors about a person’s personal sex life
Hopefully, this list has been helpful. But it is not all-inclusive. Think about your behavior and its effects on others. It will be a better workplace for everyone.
