Sexual Harassment

Anyone can victim of harassment anywhere. Harassment in the workplace is a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other federal laws. Harassment is an unlawful conduct of verbal abuse, mental harassment, or physical harm based on various factors.

Workplace harassment has certain characteristics and until and unless they violate certain codes of conduct the acts cannot be called harassment. Any unwelcome physical, gestural or verbal conduct based on race, sex, color, religion, ethnicity, or gender orientation constitutes harassment only if the conduct is able to create a severe hostile environment or that results in a tangible change for which the employee loses his benefits or opportunities.

Harassment in the workplace comes from some hostile environment and the lack of policies to stop discrimination. Harassment occurs when some unlawful verbal remarks are or conduct is passed by someone within the organization or a guest or client to an individual for his/her sex, race, religion, or nationality.

If this conduct interferes with work performance of the employee or creates a hostile environment for the victim to work, there is a negative effect on the psychological aspects of the person.

The hostile environment can be both sexual and non-sexual. The sexual hostile environment that repeatedly harasses employees (victims) may be classified into various forms. These are as follows.

One, making sexually suggestive gestures or simply leering with lust. Two, passing some offensive remarks on clothing, body parts, or looks. Three, intentional touching in a way like pinching, patting, or brushing body which the victim feels uncomfortable. Four, hanging sexual postures or telling loudly sexual jokes can also make the environment sexual abusive. Five, sending or forwarding SMSs, letters, e-mails, or notes that have suggestive meanings of sexual favors.

Other actions may not be sexual in nature, still create an environment hostile for employees that may include the following forms of harassment.

One, to make derogatory remarks or to use words or phrases that abuse the race of the individual. Two, to demonstrate pictures or gestures that would offend an employee of a particular ethnic or racial group. Three, to comment on an individualÂ's dressing style or color of skin or hair.

Four, to pass negative comments on the religious sentiments of the victim or try to insult his/her religion. Five, to pass negative comments on the professional ability of a person due to his age or gender. Six, to pass derogatory remarks on physically challenged or disabled employees. Seven, to provide no facilities for disabled people in the office.

It is important to note that while you claim harassment in the workplace, the harassed party must be a member of the protected class by law, must be subjected to unwelcome behavior or verbal abuse,s and proof of how the hostile environment has affected his employment in the office must be submitted.

The federal laws don't restrict simple colleague teasing or other remarks which have no intention to hurt sentiments. Hence, when a victim complains about harassment in the workplace, he/she must be able to show proof that he has been subjected to discrimination. Otherwise, the complaint will not be valid.