Sexual harassment is something that workers in Rhode Island workplaces do not have to tolerate. Sexual harassment violates both federal and state laws and is considered a form of discrimination in the workplace. As a result, workers should be familiar with what sexual harassment in the workplace includes and what can be done if they experience sexual harassment discrimination in the workplace.
Sexual harassment occurs when an individual makes unwelcome sexual advances; requests sexual favors; or engages in other verbal or physical conduct that is sexual in nature. Sexual harassment takes place when submission or rejection of the unwelcome conduct explicitly or implicitly impacts the employment of the individual being harassed or unreasonably interferes with the work performance of the individual being harassed. In addition, sexual harassment occurs when the unwelcome behavior creates a hostile, offensive or intimidating work environment.
Rhode Island state law requires employers to adopt a policy against sexual harassment in the workplace and provide employees with a copy of the written policy but prohibitions against sexual harassment are not limited to only employers. In addition, sexual harassment can happen to anyone including men and women. Sexual harassment can unreasonably interfere with the victim’s livelihood and daily life which is why there are important legal protections in place for victims of sexual harassment.
Victims of sexual harassment discrimination in the workplace should be familiar with options to protect them and their legal recourse options when they are enduring sexual harassment in the workplace. It is important for victims to know how to speak up and assert their rights if they are being sexually harassed in the workplace.
Source: www.rich.ri.gov, “SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE,” Accessed Aug. 8, 2017