Sexual harassment is rampant in the workplaces of the modern day. But there are tons of laws in place that are there just to protect all employees from the throes of 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 work environment.”

The law on sex discrimination at work applies to:

- women

- men

- someone who is undergoing, is intending to undergo or has undergone gender reassignment (changing to another sex)

- someone who is discriminated against because they are married or in a registered civil partnership.

Examples of Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment can occur in a variety of situations. These are examples of sexual harassment, not intended to be all inclusive.

- Unwanted jokes, gestures, offensive words on clothing, and unwelcome comments and repartee.

- Touching and any other bodily contact such as scratching or patting a coworker’s back, grabbing an employee around the waiste, or interfering with an employee’s ability to move.

- Repeated requests for dates that are turned down or unwanted flirting.

- Transmitting or posting emails or pictures of a sexual or other harassment-related nature.

- Displaying sexually suggestive objects, pictures, or posters.

-Playing sexually suggestive music.

How to Stop Sexual Harassment at Work:

1. Verbally warn. If you so choose, and depending on the severity of the sexual harassment, you can verbally warn the person that if they falter again you will report them. Many times this will stop it dead in the tracks, but sometimes it will not.

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2. Report the incident. No matter what, you must report any incident of sexual harassment. Simply write down a brief synopsis of what happened, and make sure to submit it to your boss and the proper other channels at your workplace.

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3. Find the help you need. There are tons of resources you can find on the internet that have places that will help you. You do need to take the first step and research and contact these organizations in order to get the help you need.

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4. Take action. Do not let yourself sit idle. Sexual harassment is illegal, and there are plenty of things that you can do to stop it. Make sure your boss and co-workers realize how serious you are about defending your rights.