There are essentially two types of sexual harassment. Hostile environment harassment occurs when you are subjected to a work environment that is intimidating, hostile, or patently offensive. A supervisor, co-worker, or someone else whom the victim comes in contact on the job creates an abusive work environment or interferes with the employees work performance through words or deeds because of the victims gender. The employer knew or should have known of the harassment in question and failed to take proper remedial action. Both males and females alike can be victims of sexual harassment.
Prevention is the best tool to eliminate sexual harassment in the workplace.
Employers are encouraged to take all steps necessary to prevent sexual harassment from occurring. An effective prevention program should include an explicit policy against sexual harassment that is clearly and regularly communicated to employees and effectively implemented. The employer should affirmatively raise the subject with all supervisory and non-supervisory personnel, express strong disapproval, and explain the sanctions for harassment. At this point, you have no choice but to take action no matter how trivial the situation may appear. You must immediately investigate the allegations to find out what happened and take appropriate action.