Sexual harassment is a pervasive problem in American workplaces. In North Carolina, sexual harassment can impact the lives and jobs of both men and women. There are two different kinds of sexual harassment recognized under the law, and one of those is quid pro quo harassment.
Quid pro quo harassment is premised on an exchange, and this post will explore just what that means. Anytime a reader feels that they may be experiencing sexual harassment or another challenge to their rights as an employee, they can seek counsel from a trusted employment law attorney.
Elements of quid pro quo harassment
As mentioned, quid pro quo harassment is based on an exchange. Generally, the victim is asked to submit to requests of a sexual nature in exchange for favorable decisions made about their employment. Conversely, it can also result in a victim suffering negative employment decisions if they reject a sexual request from someone in a supervisory role.
Often quid pro quo harassment involves a supervisor asking a subordinate out on a date as part of a hiring or promotion practice. The way the subordinate responses can have an impact on their likelihood of receiving the benefit.
Quid pro quo harassment violates employee rights
Any form of harassment, including sexual harassment, is a violation of employee rights. When dealing with sexual harassment, workers can experience significant threats to their jobs and lose opportunities to advance their careers. These incidents can result in lost wages, personal stress, and many other serious consequences.
Luckily, no victim must carry the burden of sexual harassment alone. There are laws that protect victims from these and other forms of workplace harassment and mechanisms for seeking relief.