What Are The Two Most Common Types of Harassment?
By Corey Hanrahan
What are the most common types of harassment? While there are many types of harassment, hostile work environment sexual harassment is likely the most common type of harassment.
“…hostile work environment sexual harassment is likely the most common type of harassment…“
Hostile work environment sexual harassment is where sexual conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an employee’s work performance, or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment.
In order to prevail on a hostile work environment sexual harassment claim, an employee needs to prove: (1) he/she was subjected to unwelcome sexual advances, conduct, or comments; (2) the harassment was based on sex; and (3) that the harassment was “severe or pervasive” so as to “alter the conditions of the victim’s employment and create an abusive working environment.” There is no need for a victim of hostile environment sexual harassment to prove the loss of a tangible job benefit.
Though proving the loss of a tangible job benefit is not required for hostile work environment sexual harassment, the law does require a higher showing that the sexually harassing conduct was pervasive and destructive to the working environment in the absence of a loss of tangible job benefit. This generally requires the skill of a knowledgeable and experienced sexual harassment attorney.
Attorney Corey Hanrahan and The Hanrahan Firm represent employees for all types of unlawful harassment. If you have been subjected to any form of harassment at work, including sexual harassment, contact The Hanrahan Firm for a free consultation.