Sexual harassment is unwanted behaviors of a sexual nature that occur within a work environment. Sexual harassment can manifest in many forms and actions, and may be physical or physical.
Physical harassment, in relation to sexual harassment matters, is unwanted sexual advances or unwelcome touching. Physical harassment may also take form in sexual gestures or suggestive body language. Examples of physical harassment include, but are not limited to:
- unwelcome touching
- battery
- sexual battery
- touching a person’s intimate areas
- making sexual hand gestures
- rape
- requests for sex acts or favors
Once a person has become a victim of physical or sexual harassment, he/she will most likely feel extremely violated and may also feel vulnerable. He/she may also find that he/she is working in a hostile work environment that is now unbearable. Once people are in this position, they should always speak out about their harassment. Physical harassment should never be allowed in the workplace and people should always know that they have options and do not have to tolerate inappropriate behaviors.
However, it is important for physical harassment victims to know that they have options and can take steps to stop the harassment. First, victims should tell the person or persons who are engaging in harassment to “stop”. If the harassment does not stop, then the person should report the harassment to upper management or to his/her human resources department. The person should also write down all instances of physical harassment (date, time, what actions occurred) so that he/she has documentation. Most importantly, physical harassment victims should consider speaking with an experienced sexual harassment lawyer, like the lawyers at Employment Lawyer's Group.
If you would like to speak with one of our knowledgeable Los Angeles sexual harassment attorneys, please call 1-888-252-7991 to schedule your case evaluation.