Texas Employment Attorney

What is Sexual Harassment?

All individuals have the right to feel safe and secure in their work environment. Unfortunately, sexual harassment in the workplace can make employees feel threatened, disrespected, and uncomfortable. It is important to ensure that your work environment is free of all forms of sexual harassment in order to not only avoid legal repercussions, but to maintain and ensure the dignity of everyone in the workplace.

Most examples of sexual harassment can be divided into two categories: quid pro quo sexual harassment and hostile work environment sexual harassment. While these forms manifest themselves in different ways, they are both serious legal and ethical offenses that need to be understood and taken seriously by employers and employees alike.

Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment

When most people think of sexual harassment, they are thinking about quid pro quo sexual harassment. In Latin, the phrase “quid pro quo” can be understood to mean “something for something”. With regards to sexual harassment, this usually means that a supervisor or manager will either:

• Offer benefits to a lower level employee in exchange for sexual favors
• Threaten to withhold benefits from an employee unless they engage in some form of sexual activity

The benefits mentioned here could range anywhere from better working hours or better project opportunities to direct wage increases or decreases.

Hostile Work Environment

A hostile work environment is created when sexual material and / or conduct in the workplace makes an individual feel uncomfortable. A hostile work environment can be created by any member(s) of the staff, not just higher management personnel.

Examples of things that could create a hostile work environment include:

• Sexually explicit jokes, cartoons, or emails
• Unwanted physical contact from another employee
• Flirtatious behavior

These are only a few examples of behaviors and actions that could create a hostile work environment, and it is important that all individuals in the workplace are aware of how their actions may be perceived.

Contact a Texas Employment Lawyer

If you feel that you are the victim of sexual harassment in your workplace, you do not have to quietly endure the situation. Contact the Texas employment lawyers of Slater Kennon & Jameson, L.L.P. today by calling 512-472-2431 to discuss your legal rights and options.