Sexual harassment can take many forms. Typically, sexual harassment impacts the career development of the targeted worker and may also have a negative influence on their mental health. In some cases, a group of coworkers creates a hostile work environment.
Other times, sexual harassment involves one professional crossing the line with other employees. Frequently, that professional is a supervisor, manager or other influential party within the business. Some workers have to deal with a supervisor offering them work favors in return for intimate or personal favors. Others may face threats of punishment on the job if they do not agree to personal demands of an intimate or romantic nature.
A supervisor might threaten to write a subordinate up for their attitude if they won’t go out for a drink, for example. That kind of behavior leaves workers caught between a rock and a hard place. It also constitutes quid pro quo sexual harassment, which is common and illegal.
Personal demands shouldn’t carry job risks
People should have the freedom to associate with whom they choose and to decide how close they want to be with their co-workers. A quid pro quo sexual harassment scenario leaves people in a position where they do not feel free to make choices of their own volition.
Instead, they have to choose between sacrificing career opportunities and maintaining their personal values. Quid pro quo harassment occurs when one party offers some kind of work-related perk in exchange for intimate or romantic favors. Threats of workplace punishment can also be a form of quid pro quo harassment. The personal interactions of a supervisor and their subordinate should not have any bearing on the subordinate’s work opportunities and performance reviews.
Quid pro quo harassment is disheartening and can leave workers afraid of potentially losing their jobs. Workers who have experienced quid pro quo harassment may need support addressing the matter. Gathering appropriate documentation, providing appropriate notice to employers and possibly taking legal action can be important steps for those trying to combat quid pro quo sexual harassment.
Professionals trying to push back against inappropriate workplace conduct often need help evaluating their situation and determining what to do next, and that’s okay. Those enduring quid pro quo sexual harassment may have grounds to take legal action if their employers don’t address the situation.
