Sexual harassment is, unfortunately, commonplace in California, regardless of being illegal. This is particularly true in situations with power discrepancies, often seen among secretaries and receptionists with other staff. If you are encountering sexual harassment at your workplace, you may be eligible for compensation, and you deserve the support and advocacy of a San Francisco sexual harassment attorney with the Armstrong Law Firm.
What is Sexual Harassment
The term sexual harassment can encompass countless behaviors among staff, contractors, or affiliates in a workplace. The California Equal Opportunity Employment Commission defines sexual harassment as a form of unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or any other form of verbal or physical harassment that is sexual in nature. This is one of the common forms of workplace harassment.
State regulations also protect California workers from sexual harassment. The California Civil Rights Department explains that this can include behaviors such as making inappropriate jokes, leering, displaying suggestive images, making suggestive gestures, or engaging in physical contact. It may also include quid pro quo harassment that can include offering professional benefits or courtesy in exchange for sexual behaviors.
Secretaries and Receptionist Positions May Be Especially Vulnerable to Sexual Harassment
The power differential that many support positions encounter can be a reason someone may be vulnerable to sexual harassment. However, the United States seems to have a culture that glorifies this type of behavior. Many of us have seen the stereotype of a C-suite employee with the ‘eye candy’ receptionist outside their office, which makes this kind of dynamic seem normal when it is, in fact, illegal.
We see this represented in pop culture, as evidenced by television shows like Mad Men, which portray the discomfort men experience when educated women begin to establish themselves in the male-dominated workplace. This kind of raunchy comedy seems to be the way we coped with that friction as a society. This is evident even in shows like ‘The Office’ when we see how Michael Scott tries to make passes at their receptionist.
The Role of Secretary is Heavily Gendered
Many women in professional settings are familiar with the assumption that they should assume some of these roles, regardless of their actual position. Is the woman in the room truly the only person capable of taking good meeting minutes, or is this sexism so deeply ingrained in our professional cultures?
When we consider that many professionals see a secretary or receptionist position as inherently belonging to women, it makes it easier to assign values and expected behaviors and dynamics that may impact the work environment. When this changed behavior is directly tied to gender, it can begin to cross the line into harassment.
You Have Recourse if You Are Subjected to Sexual Harassment
Thankfully, because sexual harassment in California is illegal, regardless of your position, you have recourse if you are subjected to this behavior. You can follow your company’s reporting process to provide your company a chance to rectify the issue. However, if you’re not sure if you can trust your Human Resources Department or they have failed to take action to protect you, it’s time to contact an attorney to help you. Additionally, employers are strictly liable for sexual harassment by supervisors and you may be entitled to monetary damages.