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CAN
THEY DO THAT ?
PASS
ON WORKPLACE
ROMANCES!
WRIGHT
& MILLS, P.A..
I ASKED A WOMAN
WHO WORKS FOR ME OUT ON A DATE AND SHE
TOLD ME TO GET LOST. I ASKED HER AGAIN AND
THE NEXT THING I KNEW SHE FILED A
COMPLAINT FOR HARASSMENT AGAINST ME. CAN
SHE DO THAT?
Yes,
she can!
If
your romantic interest in this woman
affects her ability to do her job, you
could be sued for sexual harassment on the
job.
When
a supervisor on the job makes passes at an
employee, this act could be construed as a
threat that if the employee doesn't go out
with the supervisor, the employee might be
fired or demoted or lose out on some work
benefit.
This
is called "quid pro quo" harassment.
Another
kind of sexual harassment occurs when
other workers (not necessarily
supervisors) pester an employee with
sexist jokes, remarks or physical conduct
of a sexual nature which make it difficult
for the employee to work there. This is
called "hostile environment" harassment,
and it is also illegal.
If
you are interested romantically in an
employee, be careful that your actions are
not construed as an implied threat to take
away that employee's work benefits. Your
interest in another employee could be
misconstrued, and you could end up in
court.
If
you are not a supervisor and you make
passes at another employee or you tell
off-color jokes on the job, you could be
adversely affecting that person's ability
to work there. You could end up losing
your job or being demoted, and you could
get your employer in trouble as
well.
So,
when it comes to workplace romances and
joking around with members of the opposite
sex, play it safe! Think before you
speak!
It's
the law!
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