When people think of sexual harassment, they often imagine unwanted advances or inappropriate comments. But harassment takes many forms, some of which are less obvious but equally harmful. Many employees experience workplace harassment without realizing it violates the law.
At Justice Legal Counsel, we help workers recognize and fight back against all forms of sexual harassment—even the ones that are less commonly discussed. If you believe you’ve been harassed at work, contact us today for a confidential consultation.
Uncommon Forms of Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment isn’t just about explicit comments or physical advances. It also includes subtle, indirect, and systemic behaviors that create a hostile work environment.
- Sexual Favoritism
- A manager gives promotions, bonuses, or special treatment to employees they are dating or who engage in sexual conduct with them.
- Other employees are disadvantaged because they refuse to participate or are excluded.
- Hostile Work Environment by Association
- An employee is targeted because of who they associate with (e.g., a woman working in a male-dominated field faces sexist jokes even though they are not directed at her).
- A worker is treated differently after rejecting a coworker’s advances, even if no explicit threats were made.
- Sexualized “Jokes” or Comments in Emails & Chats
- Employees are subjected to inappropriate GIFs, memes, or jokes in Slack, Teams, email threads, or group chats.
- Even if not directed at a specific person, these comments contribute to a hostile work environment.
- Quid Pro Quo Without Direct Threats
- A boss implies an employee’s success depends on flirting, dressing a certain way, or going to social events.
- No explicit demand is made, but the pressure to comply is clear.
- Retaliation Disguised as Performance Issues
- After rejecting advances or reporting misconduct, an employee suddenly:
- Gets poor performance reviews despite no prior complaints.
- Is reassigned to undesirable shifts or tasks.
- Faces increased scrutiny compared to coworkers.
- Sex-Based Bullying or Exclusion
- A worker is left out of meetings, projects, or networking opportunities because of their gender.
- Women are expected to take on stereotypical roles, such as organizing office parties or taking notes, even when outside their job description.
- Unwanted Discussions About Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity
- Coworkers repeatedly question someone about their gender identity, pronouns, or personal relationships.
- LGBTQ+ employees are pressured to “explain” or justify their identity in ways that heterosexual or cisgender employees are not.
- Harassment in Virtual Workspaces
- Employees experience inappropriate video calls, private messages, or “accidental” camera mishaps in remote settings.
- Work-from-home harassment is just as illegal as in-office misconduct.
What to Do If You Experience Workplace Harassment
If you recognize any of these behaviors in your workplace, you have rights. Here’s what you should do:
✔ Document everything – Save emails, messages, and details of incidents.
✔ Report it internally – Follow company policies on reporting harassment.
✔ Seek legal advice – If your employer ignores or retaliates against you, Justice Legal Counsel can help.
Justice Legal Counsel Will Fight for You
Sexual harassment doesn’t have to be overt to be illegal. If you’ve experienced any form of unwanted sexual behavior, favoritism, or workplace exclusion, we can help you:
✔ File a complaint with your employer or state agencies.
✔ Take legal action for damages, lost wages, and emotional distress.
✔ Hold your employer accountable for ignoring or covering up misconduct.
Your workplace should be safe and fair—not hostile or intimidating. Contact Justice Legal Counsel today for a confidential consultation and take the first step toward justice.