What are the Common Forms of Sexual Harassments in Workplaces in Connecticut?

Sexual harassment is pervasive in Connecticut workplaces. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, it can take many forms, including following an employee around, making sexual comments or gestures, rubbing against them inappropriately, and using language about a person’s body. These activities are considered illegal under federal law and Connecticut state law. Hence, you can seek the guidance of an Connecticut employment law attorney to take necessary legal actions against the harassment you have been through at the workplace.

Sexual harassment is an act of intimidation that is often relatively easy to do yet incredibly difficult to prove. It has become a major issue in the workplace as it can take immense mental and emotional tolls on those who are affected by it. In the state of Connecticut, one of the most common forms of sexual harassment in the workplace is verbal behavior.

Let us now see the most common forms of sexual harassment reported in workplaces in Connecticut.

• Offensive comments

In a recent study, it was found that nearly one out of every three women in Connecticut alone have been sexually harassed at work by other employees or customers. This is a larger number than the national average and many other states, which shows how big of a problem sexual harassment in workplaces has become in Connecticut. One fact that stands out is that nearly 46% of these complaints said that their harasser specifically referenced offensive comments as a form of sexual harassment.

• Unwelcome physical touches

In Connecticut, unwelcome physical contact is a common form of harassment in the workplace. For example, a survey found that more than 21% of women experienced unwanted touching or groping at work, and more than 13% of men experienced unwanted touching or groping at work. Employers need to be aware that sexual harassment is not just limited to verbal harassment but also includes any unwanted touch by an employer or co-worker.

• Requests for sexual favors

In recent years, many of the cases of sexual harassment lawsuits in Connecticut used to focus on the physical aspects of the harassment. However, a new trend is that more and more people are claiming that requests for sexual favors are a form of sexual harassment that has been increasing over the past few years. In fact, these requests have been reported as one of the most common forms of sexual harassment in workplaces today.

Louise D. Cormier

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