When a supervisor offers something to an employee in return for a sexual favor, that’s a type of sexual harassment. Specifically, it’s called “quid pro quo” sexual harassment, and it’s illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Typically, it occurs when a boss...
Sexual Harassment
Why don’t people report sexual harassment right away?
In many cases of alleged sexual harassment, the accusations will come years or even decades after the event occurred. Naturally, this does lead people to ask why there was such a delay and why the reports weren’t made right away. In fact, some people will mistakenly...
What employers need to know about the new Speak Out Act
A law signed this month by President Joe Biden places a new limitation on what employers can restrict with nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) in their employment contracts. Specifically, the Speak Out Act prohibits employers from using NDAs signed as a condition of...
What a good HR department should do for employees
Unfortunately, employees can be given the impression that they are powerless sometimes. But, this is far from the truth. Workers in Massachusetts have a host of rights at their disposal. They have the right to work in an environment that is free from discrimination,...
What should you do if an employee complains of sexual harassment
Sexual harassment is a broad term that includes so many different scenarios. Characteristically, sexual harassment involves unwanted or inappropriate verbal comments or physical touches. These actions can occur anywhere and are not restricted to any role or gender....
3 sources of sexual harassment other than co-workers and managers
Workplace sexual harassment usually involves either quid pro quo harassment involving a supervisor or a hostile work environment created by coworkers. However, those are far from the only scenarios in which a professional might experience sexual harassment at work....
What to do if you see a colleague sexually harassed at work
Being sexually harassed at your job is a situation that people hope will never arise. Unfortunately, though, it does happen. Sometimes, employees are unsure of how to handle it – and they’re often doubly unsure about how to handle the situation when they see a...
Sexual harassment and remote workplaces: How it happens
Remote work is increasingly gaining popularity amongst workers and employers alike. While workers love the flexibility, organizations are receptive to the cost-savings benefits associated with reduced utilities and other bills when their employees work from home. ...
Preventing sexual harassment within your company
While you run your company for the purpose of turning a profit, you also want your brand to be ethical. You have put lots of time and effort into building the business, but the contributions of your employees cannot be ignored. Employees need a safe environment to...
Can sexual harassment come from a client?
One thing that many people don’t understand is that sexual harassment isn’t allowed in your workplace no matter who it comes from. Whether it is a client, coworker, third-party vendor, your employer or someone else, you have a right to be free of sexual harassment...