This document defines and provides examples of sexual harassment in the workplace. It discusses unwelcome sexual behavior that creates a hostile work environment. There are two main types of sexual harassment: quid pro quo, where employment benefits are linked to sexual favors, and hostile work environment, through humiliating or offensive conduct. Intent to offend is not required for hostile environment claims - the impact on the victim is what matters. Verbal, non-verbal, physical and electronic forms of sexual harassment are outlined. Some behaviors like excessive criticism may indicate underlying harassment and merit inquiry. The document concludes with contact information for the gender consultant who authored it.

1. Sexual Harassment in the
Workplace
Sonam Mittal – Activist & Gender Consultant
Meaning and examples

2. What is sexual harassment
in the workplace?
Sexual harassment in the workplace is any behaviour that is;
UNWELCOME
SEXUAL in nature
SUBJECTIVE in experience
IMPACT and not ‘intent’ is what matters
Often occurs in a matrix of POWER

3. How do you ascertain ‘unwelcome’
behaviour?
Employee complains
Verbal responses, usually ‘NO’
Change in expressions
Body language
Physical / visible signs of discomfort
Avoidance

4. Types of sexual
harassment in the
workplace?
1. Quid Pro Quo
2. Hostile Work
Environment

5. What is Quid Pro Quo?
Implied or explicit promise of preferential /
detrimental treatment in employment
Implied or expressed threat about present or
future employment status

6. What is Hostile Work
Environment?
Creating a hostile, intimidating or an
offensive work environment
Humiliating treatment likely to affect
employee health, safety or productivity

7. Question - An employee
whose conduct creates an
offensive environment for a
co-worker, must intend to
offend, for it to be considered
harassment.
NO
Claim for hostile environment sexual harassment does
not require proof of intent to harass. Many people
accused of harassment genuinely believe their
behaviour is funny or attractive. Some people even
believe it is welcome or appreciated by everyone.

8. Forms of sexual harassment in the
workplace - Verbal
| Sexually suggestive comments, stories, remarks, jokes or innuendos | Insults or taunts of sexual
nature | Offensive or inappropriate questions, remarks, comments or jokes | Turning work
discussions into sexual topics | Teasing or intrusive questions related to a person’s body, physical
appearance or private life | Controlling a person’s reputation by rumour-mongering about her
private life | Suggestions, questions, discussion, remarks or passing rumours about a person’s sex
life | Asking about sexual fantasies, preferences, or history | Requests for sexual favours or other
sexual acts | Repeated or inappropriate invitations to go out on dates or meals | Referring to an
adult as a girl, darling, doll, babe, or honey | Name calling such as "bitch", "slut", or "whore" |
Profanities and slurs | Threats of sexual nature |

9. Forms of sexual harassment in the
workplace – Non Verbal
| Whistling, hooting, barking, grunts, growling, making kissing sounds or howling | Facial
expressions like winking, throwing kisses, sucking, licking or smacking lips | Cat calls or wolf
whistles | Staring or leering at a person's body parts | Looking a person up and down (elevator
eyes) | Sexually suggestive signals or gestures with hands or through body movements | Graffiti,
cartoons, faxes, posters or other visuals either in sexual nature or about a person's sexuality |
Giving personal gifts | Following, cornering or blocking a person's path | Getting too close for no
reason |

10. Forms of sexual harassment in the
workplace – Physical
| Hugging, patting, stroking, caressing, kissing or fondling someone against their will | Unwanted or
inappropriate physical touch or contact | Deliberate touching, leaning over or pinching | Adjusting
clothing | Touching the person's clothing, hair, or body | Touching or rubbing oneself sexually
around another person | Posing provocatively | Indecent exposure or inappropriate display of the
body | Neck massage or back rubs | Standing too close or hanging around a person | ‘Accidentally’
brushing up against a person's body | Blocking a person's path | Stalking an individual | Grabbing
breasts or buttocks | Actual or attempted rape or sexual assault |

11. Forms of sexual harassment in the
workplace – Online / Electronic
| Repeated or inappropriate advances on email or social networking websites | Drawings, pictures,
posters calendars or screensavers of sexist or sexual nature | Sexually explicit electronic mail and
computer programs | Displaying pornography in the workplace | Unwanted, lewd, obscene,
sexually explicit or threatening mms, sms, whatsapp, or e-mails or telephone calls | Sending
someone unwanted sexual materials | Unwanted emails, telephone calls, or materials of a sexual
nature |

12. Examples of behaviour not sexual
harassment but may merit inquiry* –
| Criticizing, insulting, humiliating, blaming, reprimanding or condemning an employee in public |
Exclusion from group activities or assignments without a valid reason | Removing areas of
responsibility unjustifiably or arbitrarily | Inappropriately giving too little or too much work |
Unjustifiable micro management, interference with work or sabotaging instruments of work |
Controlling the person by withholding resources (time, budget, autonomy, and training) necessary
to succeed | Statements damaging a person’s reputation or career | Overruling authority without a
just cause | Threats, intimidation or retaliation against an employee who speaks up about
unwelcome behaviour with sexual overtones |
*These examples may indicate underlying workplace sexual harassment

13. Examples that are not sexual
harassment –
| Following up on work absences | Requiring performance to job standards | Normal exercise of
management rights | Work related stress like meeting deadlines or quality standards | Constructive
feedback about work and not about the person |

14. Questions?
Parking
Lot

15. Contact -
Sonam Mittal
MsChief, Azaadi
Co-founder, The Spoilt Modern Indian Woman
+91-9686199116
sonam@azaadi.org.in
azaadi.org.in/
spoitmodernwoman.com/
fb.com/sonam.kmittal
fb.com/azaadi.org
fb.com/spoiltmodernwoman
@spoiltwoman