Is it considered sexual harassement if you stare at a woman in an elevator?
89017
Harassment is often in the eye of the beholder, as it were.\n\nStaring at a woman in an elevator who enjoyed the attention would not be harassment, even if there was a policy against it.  Doing the same thing to a woman who felt uncomfortable about it could indeed be considered harrassment, depending on the circumstances.\n\nAny conduct toward another person that makes them uncomfortable or they believe is inappropriate can be construed at harassment, but it does take more than just someone saying they don't like something.\n\nWorkplace harrassment policies are generally more specific and cover a much greater amount of possible harassment situations.  In public, being able to prove sexual harassment in such a situation would likely be difficult.  On the job, it might be a completely different matter.  You might not be guilty of a crime, but you could definitely get yourself in hot water with your company.
31225
I think:  1. Document the date and behavior. 2. Talk to someone in human resources.  Depending on the workplace, there may also be an outside consultant who acts as the "ombudsperson" for gender and equity issues. 3. Keep a record in case you need to go to the EEOC (Equal Employment and Opportunity Commission).\n\nI would not talk to colleagues about the offensive behavior because I think that could only make the situation more confusing and possibly worse.  This is something that needs to be handled quietly between employee and boss, but the situation definitely shouldn't be ignored for important reasons.  First, it creates an uncomfortable and possibly hostile work environment for the worker, and she could suffer emotionally and psychologically as a result and her productivity may go down, too.  Second, the boss may have a pattern of sexually harassing his employees, and that needs to be addressed.  She may not be the first person.  Harassment is an issue of power, not of sexual attraction.\n\nGood luck regardless.  It's a tough situation.
376181
Well, you haven't given a lot of details about what happened, but first of all, I think if he did anything sexual to you that offends you, then you should put harassment charges on him.  Sexual harassment is something that should not be tolerated!  If not, then take him aside one day (not while you are supposed to be working, you don't want to lose your job over this) and tell him that you need to talk to him about what happened before and that he can't go on pretending it didn't happen.  Let him know that you don't like the way he disrespected you.  Chances are he will stop after that, but if he keeps on, report it to a supervisor.  Nobody should have to deal with this in the workplace!!!  Good luck!
37319
Wow. Ademolaefuwape, you sound like a person in trouble.  You Logon and immediate ask a question about sexual harassment.  I doubt that you want to learn to do it.  It is a federal offense.\nSexual harassment is defined as:\n“Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitutes sexual harassment when submission to or rejection of this conduct explicitly or implicitly affects an individual's employment, unreasonably interferes with an individual's work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment.”\n\nSee the site below for additional details
1142409
not necessarily, harassment can be entirely verbal (e.g. saying "nice boobs"). Moreover, "inappropriate touching" is not violence either since there is no physical damage.\n\nbut presumably if sexual harassment is left unchecked, it could escalate into more serious things - like sexual assault (rape) and plain violence.
758256
were you on company property when she overheard you? if so then probably yes she can claim harassment.
975102
Looks like the manager has a history of sexually harrassing female employees. I'd give this one a pass, but if it happens again in any form, report him.
1058253
IS IT CONSENSUAL? are you enjoying it and keeping quiet or are you complaining? it makes a HUGE difference...\n\nif you are complaining and it is uninviting..then ask him to look up the sexual harrasment section or inappropriate action at work..he'll leave you alone QUICK..and if he doesn't report him..
451460
I guess it depends . . . do you enjoy it?  Is it bothering you (since you are writing it here, I am assuming it does).  \n\nIt is, without a doubt, unprofessional.  However, most sexual harassment policies and laws require you to let the other person know, in some manner, that you don't appreciate it.  I think the best thing you can do it approach him, and say something like, "I'm not sure how to bring this up, but there are certain things you do that make me feel uncomfortable.  We are both here to do a job, and I hope we can do it friendly, but you need to know that it is making me uncomfortable".  Document what you said, how he responded, when and where you talked to him.  \n\nIf things don't change, or you sense any retaliation, take it immediately to Human Resources.  \n\nOh, and you may know that he is doing this in a lewd way, but I had a situation where an employee was staring at the chest of people when he talked with them - turns out it was a nervous gesture, and had nothing to do with harassment.
960910
It's called a making pass. If he repeats that kind of stuff too often, or tries to leverage his boss status to make you accept it, then it becomes harassment.
132414
It's not necessarily sexual harassment.No gender or specifically sexual conduct was mentioned.You did use a specific legal term though,Jules.\nDid I miss something? Does this one have a punchline? It's got a strange enunciation.\nTell us specifically what this person is doing.\nSorry about the lack of humor.It's late...
44409
oh Ma@#erbating is when a man or woman touches them self in a not so nice way lets just say. (private parts) that is what it is (touching the down stairs) when noone is looking . that is what it means as well as what it is.
604621
That is DEFINATELY sexual harassment.\n\nIf the situation made you that uncomfortable, and if you feel like in the future he will repeat it, then go directly to your boss. If you don't want to get him in trouble, and feel like you won't be threatened in the future, then talk to him, and tell him that you will NOT accept his behavior, and ask him to please stop making those sexually harassing comments, gestures, whatever.
721588
Oh let him follow you. He's just stalking you.  It could get dangerous...but what the hey.  Seriously, if you have to ask this question, I'm not sure the elevator goes to the top floor.
325702
I think that you should go straight to the store manager, and tell him what has been going on. Tell him that you feel uncomfortable with all their questions. While you may like your coworkers, you are under no obligation to tell them anything of your personal life. If the store manager does not do anything to resolve this problem, go to the district manager. Keep going over everyone's head who refuses to acknowledge this complaint of (possible) sexual harrassment. Most chain restarants (Pizza Hut, McDonalds) have a 1-800 number to call to report sexual harrasment.
704556
there are women in my workplace who have ascended to managerial positions, starting out as secretaries/assistants, with only  a hs degree or an associates. men don't have that luck.\nAnd besides, any word or stare can be considered harassment, making women untouchable in an office.
542513
You haven't explained what type of harassment.  Different types require different actions.