Recognizing Signs of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Sexual harassment at work may be obvious, like explicit messages or soliciting sexual favors. However, recognizing signs of sexual harassment in the workplace can be difficult. If the harasser presents their behavior as innocent and harmless, you may second-guess yourself.

If you’re asking, “Is this really sexual harassment, and what can I do about it?” keep reading for a list of workplace sexual harassment indicators and tips for identifying harassment signals.

Types of Sexual Harassment

Recognizing workplace misconduct, such as sexual harassment, is challenging for two reasons. First, the harasser will usually try to normalize their behavior (“I’m only joking” or “No one else has a problem with that”). Second, victims will often doubt their own experience if the harassment doesn’t include overtly sexual touching. However, sexual harassment can take many other forms, such as:

• “Friendly” physical contact, like prolonged handshakes, placing their hand on your arm or back, or standing or sitting too close to you.
• Verbal harassment, like inappropriately personal questions, comments on your looks, or prying into your sexual life. 
• Visual harassment, like persistent staring at your body or sharing explicitly sexual images or videos.

Five Signs of Sexual Harassment at Work

Recognizing signs of sexual harassment in the workplace is simple enough if you’re dealing with obviously inappropriate touching or explicit language. However, harassment doesn’t always immediately stand out as workplace-inappropriate behavior. Identifying harassment warning signs can be easier if you spot any of the following patterns. 

1. You Are the Target of Unwelcome Contact or Advances

Maybe your harasser keeps offering unwanted physical contact, like hugging, pushing up against you, or invading your personal space. Perhaps they make rude jokes or remarks of a sexual nature or share videos or texts that disturb you. 

The person harassing you may claim they’re only being friendly or openly state that they’re interested in you romantically or sexually. For example, they may keep asking you out even after you politely refused several times. 

2. The Harasser’s Behavior Makes You Uncomfortable 

Proving sexual harassment can be tricky because many behaviors allow more than one interpretation. For example, maybe the harasser toes the line of acceptable conduct, but you still feel they’re singling you out and giving you unwanted attention. Ultimately, if someone’s behavior makes you uncomfortable, you have the right to ask them to stop. 

Sometimes, what would be tolerable as a one-time incident becomes disturbing as a pattern. For instance, bumping into you once could be accidental. However, if this happens daily, it’s probably intentional and would bother you.

3. Saying “No” Doesn’t Help

Awkward situations at work can happen for various reasons, like cultural differences. For example, kissing on the cheek is a standard greeting in many Latin American countries, while other cultures won’t accept anything beyond a handshake in a professional setting. 

Misunderstandings aren’t a problem if you express discomfort and the other person apologizes and corrects their behavior. However, if they dismiss your concerns or gaslight you into feeling you’re being unreasonable, it may be sexual harassment. 

4. The Harasser’s Behavior Is Obviously Gender-Based

You may observe your harasser’s behavior and find they treat male and female colleagues differently. For example, maybe they’re reasonably friendly with men but inappropriately flirtatious or otherwise unprofessional when interacting with women. If it looks like the harasser targets other coworkers of your gender in a similar way, it could support your complaint.

5. You Feel Unsafe at Work

If interacting with your harasser makes you dread coming to work, or if the harasser attempts to punish you for complaining about their behavior, that’s another tell-tale sign of sexual misconduct. 

What To Do If You’re Dealing With Sexual Harassment 

If you experience sexual harassment at work, the first thing you should do is ask the harasser to stop. You may want to do this through an email or a text message so you can save screenshots. It’s also easier to clarify your intentions when communicating via text.

If the harassment persists, report it to your employer or HR department. Your employer has a duty to protect you from harassment in the workplace.

If your employer won’t take action to stop the harassment or blames or retaliates against you for reporting the harasser, consult a workplace sexual harassment lawyer. The law is on your side, and if you present proof of the harassment, you can hold your employer accountable.

Kent Pincin: Your Legal Team for Sexual Harassment Claims Across California

After recognizing signs of sexual harassment in the workplace, you’ll need to decide what to do next. Contact us at Kent Pincin to learn your options and understand whether you have grounds for a sexual harassment claim. Our legal team is here to protect your rights and help you seek justice.

Call 310-376-0922 or complete our online form to talk to a workplace sexual harassment lawyer.