The Difference Between Sexual and Non-Sexual Workplace Discrimination
Going to your place of employment to do your job should not be a torturous and uncomfortable proposition because you are experiencing workplace sexual harassment. Sometimes, people go on for a long time in an abusive work environment because they do not know that they are experiencing discrimination, they are afraid to say something, they are ashamed, or they do not know what their rights are. Victims of workplace harassment can find it challenging trying to figure out how to manage their situation, stay safe, and excel at the duties of their job.
Workplace harassment can come from any colleague from your boss to your co-worker or even an hourly employee that you interface with during normal business hours. Harassment can be of a sexual nature or a non-sexual nature. Knowing what is unacceptable at work can help you better conduct yourself accordingly or identify actions that are happening to you which are wrong.
For residents of the state of Ohio, if you believe that you are a victim of workplace sexual harassment, please reach out to the Cincinnati sexual harassment attorneys at The Green Law Firm to discuss your case.
What is Sexual Harassment and What is Non-Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment happens when unwanted advances, physical behavior, or verbal communications are inappropriate and make a work environment hostile to an employee. Sexual harassment can be between the same gender or opposite and can happen between any pay grade. Men and women can experience unlawful sexual harassment that prevents them from being able to do their job well and makes them feel unsafe.
Some examples of sexual harassment include, but are not limited to:
- Sending lewd photos or emails and letters.
- Making offensive gestures.
- Asking for sexual favors.
- Grabbing and inappropriate touching.
- Asking questions about a person’s sexual proclivities or their sexual past.
- Making insulting and rude comments about a person’s gender.
Sexual harassment at work happens when actions of a sexual nature take place which causes disruption for an employee’s ability to do their job and is also quite upsetting for them. Workplace sexual harassment can also happen by way of a second party that may witness another colleague being harassed and this experience negatively affects them.
By contrast, non-sexual harassment can be bullying or tormenting another employee in a way that is not generally related to sex. Discrimination in this category can be against a person’s religion, disability, race, ethnicity, or age. A couple of examples of non-sexual harassment behaviors can include:
- Saying offensive comments about a person’s race.
- Making disparaging comments related to a person’s age.
- Making drawings that are racist or using words that are derogatory towards race.
- Making fun of a person’s disability.
Non-sexual harassment is also unsuitable in the workplace and there are federal and state regulations against workplace discrimination and harassment. You do not have to tolerate abuse at work and if you are being unfairly treated, consulting with a Cincinnati civil rights attorney can be beneficial.
Speak With a Cincinnati Sexual Harassment Attorney Today
Sexual discrimination, or gender discrimination in Ohio, is not acceptable and you can take action to stop this type of treatment in the workplace from continuing. To learn more about your options, The Green Law Firm has sexual harassment attorneys in Cincinnati that can meet with you during a free consultation. Please call (513) 769-0840 today to schedule yours.