Protection against workplace sexual harassment

Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination. The legal definition of sexual harassment is "unwelcome verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature that is severe or pervasive and affects working conditions or creates a hostile". There are generally two types of sexual harassment: hostile environment and quid pro quo. A sexually hostile environment is one in which sexually offensive conduct permeates the work environment. The other, quid pro quo, is one where there are demands for sexual favors in exchange for continued employment, promotion, etc. Both are equally forbidden by the law. This section explains the conduct that constitutes hostile environment and quid pro quo types of harassment, and whether or how they're treated differently by the courts.

If you are an employee, you want to be treated and compensated fairly at all times. However, "fair" can mean different things to different people at different times. Fortunately, there are now specific laws, both state and federal-many of them little-known to non-lawyers that clearly spell out how employers must deal with all job applicants and all employees at all times.

Public records show that sexual harassment in the workplace presents an ongoing and growing risk to businesses operating in the United States. Today, the time is right for businesses to begin to manage their risk in this area more wisely. Laws against sexual harassment are designed to protect you from your boss, your co-worker, or customers at work. Employees are protected under both state and federal law against workplace sexual harassment.

Preventing sexual harassment in the workplace requires a considerable investment of time and personnel. In the end, however, these costs will be offset by significant savings in legal fees and health-care costs. Companies will also benefit from increased worker productivity. From a purely business perspective, a company only stands to gain if it takes a no-nonsense, hard-line position on sexual harassment. Not only is it the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do.

Prevention is the best tool to eliminate sexual harassment in the workplace. Employers are encouraged to take steps necessary to prevent sexual harassment from occurring. They should clearly communicate to employees that sexual harassment will not be tolerated. They can do so by providing sexual harassment training to their employees and by establishing an effective complaint or grievance process and taking immediate and appropriate action when an employee complains.

A background check allows a company to screen potential employees so that they know before hiring them, that this person may not be an ideal candidate for the job A background check is the easiest way to make sure companies are hiring honest and trustworthy people. It can prevent not only theft but also sexual harassment and assault and violence too.