Quid Pro Quo vs. Hostile Work Environment Sexual Harassment
While at work, you deserve to feel comfortable. Any acts of discrimination or harassment should never be tolerated. That’s why the lawyers at Chanfrau & Chanfrau take all legal cases involving sexual harassment at the workplace so seriously. We side with victims of workplace discrimination, sexual harassment, and other forms of mistreatment.
A number of people who have been sexually harassed at work are often victims of quid pro quo harassment and hostile work environments. Our Daytona Beach, FL law firm would like to discuss how these two types of sexual harassment differ. We will also discuss steps you can take if you have experienced either of these forms of sexual harassment.
About Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment
Quid pro quo is a Latin phrase that means “this for that.” In the context of sexual harassment, quid pro quo sexual harassment refers to cases in which an employee is asked perform any act of a sexual nature in exchange for a request. This could mean asking employees to perform any kind of sexual act in order to grant a raise, vacation time, a title change, a promotion, and so forth. Employees should not be forced to engage in any inappropriate behavior in order to requests to be addressed.
About Hostile Work Environment Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment that lead to a hostile work environment refers to any sort of verbal or non-verbal actions that make an employee feel uncomfortable. This could mean direct or indirect conversations about lewd subject matter, spreading gossip about an employee’s personal life, or sharing inappropriate pictures. In all of these cases, the objectionable acts or materials are inappropriate for the workplace.
The Key Difference Between the These Types of Sexual Harassment
Quid pro quo and hostile work environment sexual harassment share some similarities, but in the case of quid pro quo harassment, a person in a position of power is exploiting their position in order to demean and harass an employee. Typically quid pro quo sexual harassment involves a difference in power dynamic between employees, with a boss or supervisor forcing a subordinate to act inappropriately.
Both quid pro quo sexual harassment and hostile work environment sexual harassment are unacceptable. Our Daytona Beach law firm can help you if you have been subjected to these unprofessional and demeaning acts.
What to Do If You Have Been Sexually Harassed at Work
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recommends the following actions when you have been sexually harassed:
- Tell the person who sexually harassed you to stop
- Check the anti-harassment policy at your workplace and follow its guidelines
- If there is no policy in place, speak with a supervisor or HR representative about the incident
You can also file a formal employment discrimination complaint with the EEOC over sexual harassment. It’s also worth speaking with an employment law attorney if reporting sexual harassment has resulted in employer retaliation or further mistreatment at your workplace.
Speak with Our Employment Law Attorneys
For more information about your legal options following sexual harassment at your job, be sure to contact a skilled employment law and workplace complaint attorney. The team at Chanfrau & Chanfrau is here to help. You can reach our Daytona Beach law firm by phone at (866) 610-0653.