Know How to Protect Yourself from Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: Two Types Explained by Our Sexual Harassment Attorneys in Philadelphia, PA
While no form of harassment is acceptable, sexual harassment is particularly egregious. This is especially true when sexual harassment occurs in the workplace. Victims often have to choose between their autonomy, health, comfort, and safety or earning money to provide for their families. This should never be a consideration that a person has to make. If you or a loved one has been subjected to possible sexual harassment in the workplace, call our experienced sexual harassment lawyers in Philadelphia, PA to review your case to determine what your rights to compensation may be under the law.
At Saffren & Weinberg, we offer FREE consultations where we will review your case to determine whether you have been the victim of unlawful conduct by a coworker, manager, boss, or another individual while at work. We understand this is a sensitive situation, and all communications with our office are protected by a strong attorney-client privilege. We will not contact your supervisor or coworker until you agree to have us handle your case. To learn more about how we can help you, schedule your appointment with our compassionate and experienced law firm.
What is Sexual Harassment?
The definition of sexual harassment is much broader than most people realize. According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), sexual harassment includes conduct such as:
- Unwelcomed sexual advances
- Requests for sexual favors
- Verbal harassment of a sexual nature
- Physical harassment of a sexual nature
- Offensive remarks about a person’s gender, and
- Other comments, conduct, actions, or other events that occur and infer a sexual nature, connotation, or have a demeaning or instigating purpose regarding a person’s gender, physical attributes, or private life.
Workplace sexual harassment is when those actions occur in a place of employment by a coworker, supervisor, boss, contractor, or even a non-employee such as a customer, client, or third-party delivery person.
Two Main Types of Workplace Sexual Harassment
There are two forms of workplace sexual harassment that every worker should know about to protect their rights under state and federal law. Both are forms of workplace sexual harassment that must be guarded against.
Quid Pro Quo
This type of workplace sexual harassment involves an individual who is in power, such as a boss, supervisor, manager, or scheduler, who requests a work-related benefit for a sexual favor. This sexual favor could be something as simple as going out for drinks, or something as devious as an inappropriate act. Any type of employment-related conduct that is attached to a sexual favor, such as getting hired, promoted, a vacation, or even just not fired, may constitute quid pro quo sexual harassment.
Hostile Work Environment
This type of workplace sexual harassment is tricky, but it involves a boss, supervisor, manager, or another individual with control who allows crude jokes, unwanted touching, harassing conduct, and other inappropriate actions to continue despite an employee’s complaint. Essentially, a hostile work environment is when a victim complains about workplace sexual harassment but a supervisor does nothing to stop it from continuing.
Do You Believe You Have Been the Victim of Quid Pro Quo or a Hostile Work Environment? Call Our Personal Injury Lawyers in Philadelphia, PA for Help
If you or a loved one believe you may have been the victim of workplace sexual harassment, call our compassionate and experienced workplace sexual harassment lawyers at Saffren & Weinberg to learn more about your rights to compensation under Pennsylvania law. We offer aggressive representation to help victims fight back against some of the most egregious forms of sexual harassment. Learn more about our services by scheduling your FREE consultation by dialing (215) 309-9577 or by sending us a private and confidential message through our easy-to-use “contact us” box available here.
This website is designed to provide only general information. The information presented on this website is not formal legal advice. You should not rely on any general information from any source for making legal decisions. Each legal matter is unique and requires specific attention from a qualified and experienced attorney. Unless a representation agreement has been signed with Saffren & Weinberg, we are not your legal representatives.