Workplace harassment is completely unacceptable and often causes individuals to feel unsafe at work. According to the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, harassment is defined as any unwelcomed behavior, whether pervasive or severe, that specifically targets an individual or group of individuals that are part of a protected class.
Harassment can arise in many forms, whether it is malicious or accidental, it can seriously affect the career of the individual being subjected to it. The two main types of harassment in the workplace are hostile work environment and quid pro quo. The details of each are outlined as, but not limited to:
- Quid Pro Quo: This is a type of sexual harassment in the workplace, it involves a supervisor offering employment benefits or threatening negative employment conditions in return for sexual favors. An example of a benefit that could be offered is monetary raise and an example of a threat could be a potential demotion.
- Hostile Work Environment: This type of harassment can either be sexual or non-sexual. A hostile work environment is a result of behavior directed at a coworker or subordinate that is abusive or pervasive in nature that causes a toxic work environment.