Sexual harassment can affect many different types of New York employees. From white-collar professionals to blue-collar workers and service professionals, there are countless professions in which coworkers or members of the public could engage in inappropriate conduct.
Often, sexual harassment occurs in a face-to-face environment. Many workers experience sexual harassment while working directly with specific individuals who mistreat them or make repeated, unwanted advances.
However, people can abuse any form of access to others, including access facilitated by technology. Remote workers can potentially experience sexual harassment in the workplace just like any other professional.
What does remote sexual harassment entail?
The sexual harassment of a remote worker likely involves non-physical harassment. Instead of unwanted physical contact, professionals working remotely might receive inappropriate or degrading messages from others. These messages could include off-color and offensive jokes or repeated advances or unwelcome flirting.
Some people use video chat software to make inappropriate comments or gestures to others. They might share explicit images and links to inappropriate content. Their actions can be a way of initiating sexual conversations or making certain co-workers uncomfortable.
Digital communication can also contribute to a hostile work environment, which is another concerning form of workplace sexual harassment. They may engage in sexual bullying via messages or video chat encounters. Coworkers may spread unsavory rumors about the victim using digital technology. Multiple people could have inappropriate conversations about one employee’s sexual history, sexual orientation or appearance.
Laws at both the federal level and in New York state prohibit sexual harassment even if it occurs digitally, instead of in person. Workers should not have to accept unwanted advances or inappropriate digital behavior any more than they should have to endure similar misconduct in person.
If anything, digital or remote sexual harassment can be easier to prove because there could be messages, screenshots or videos that victims can evaluate to prove the mistreatment they have endured. Both attempts to solicit sexual favors and the creation of a hostile work environment using digital tools could constitute actionable sexual harassment.
Workers experiencing digital sexual harassment may need help documenting what has occurred and preparing to take action. Communicating with employers and filing lawsuits can both be ways to resolve sexual harassment targeting remote workers.