In Nevada, sexual harassment falls under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and can be construed as a kind of discrimination that falls under this law. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website outlines very specifically what sexual harassment is under the eyes of the law. Simply put, it is unlawful to harass an employee because of their sex. This includes verbal and physical sexual harassment. Sometimes the harassment itself does not have to be sexual in nature, merely harassing due to that person’s sex.
Quid pro quo is a type of sexual harassment. The term “quid pro quo” is Latin for “This for that”. Typically, it is a situation where an employee’s supervisor grants favor to that employee in return for sexual favors. As you have two consenting adults, this typically makes employees feel as if they were not sexually harassed, however, the underlying situation is that a supervisor was using their position of power to exert influence of a sexual nature over a subordinate. This may be sexual harassment, and you should consult an attorney immediately.
Finally, the most classic situation of sexual harassment is when an employee rejects a supervisor and are now subjected to a hostile work environment, and in some cases even fired. In these situations, you should consult with an attorney as soon as possible to protect yourself, meanwhile making sure to document every instance of sexual harassment and subsequent hostilities exchanged from the offending supervisor.
Sexual harassment is not to be taken lightly. These are extremely serious and sensitive situations that occur in the workplace and are more common place than you think. To protect yourself make sure you do the following:
- Report the offending behavior to a manager or Human Resources;
- Keep a written record of what happened and when; and
- Consult an attorney.
If you have any questions on this matter, feel free to contact Ace Law Group at 702-333-4223 and speak with one of our Attorneys today.