Sexual Gift-Giving at Work
Sexual harassment attorney helps establish appropriate professional boundaries
When a present from a co-worker crosses the line, you may be entering sexual harassment territory. Giving someone sexually explicit gifts at work is not only unseemly, it might be illegal. It may create a hostile work environment.
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Inappropriate ‘gag’ gifts in the Workplace
Office parties, Secret Santa and other gift exchanges are prime opportunities for sexual harassment. You should know that sexually-themed ‘gag’ gifts are not appropriate in the workplace, and may constitute sexual harassment. Harassers may offer sexually explicit presents under the guise of humor. In some instances, your colleague may simply have been trying to be funny. They may have made a one-time mistake that could be brushed off as a lapse in judgment. However, someone may offer you a sexually explicit ‘gag’ gift with the express intent of making you feel intimidated, uncomfortable and even afraid. ‘Gag’ gifts may include adult toys, adult-themed games, pornography or any renderings that depict nudity or a sexual act.
Personal and romantic presents
Your colleague regularly offers personal gifts, despite your declaration that it makes you uncomfortable. Romantic gifts are given to you with repeated requests for dates, advances which you rebuff. A bouquet of roses came to your desk with a sexually explicit note attached. A single occurrence of these events is probably not severe enough to be considered sexual harassment. However, if you are repeatedly presented with romantic gifts at work, which create a hostile work environment, it could be grounds for legal action.
- Lingerie
- Romantic jewelry
- Personal care products
- Perfume
Call Our Sexual Harassment Attorney For A Free Consultation
When sexual harassment at work starts negatively affecting your professional and personal life, contact the New York City, New Jersey and Philadelphia employment attorneys at the Derek Smith Law Group. For years, we have fought back against unfair treatment in the workplace. Call us today at 800-807-2209. Our sexual harassment lawyers serve clients in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island and throughout the state of New York. We also represent employee’s sexual harassment cases in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Florida.
Different Types of Sexual Harassment Cases We Handle:
- Hostile Work Environment
- Quid Pro Quo
- Unwelcome Request For Sex
- Sexism in the Workplace
- Sexual Bribery
- Sexual Harassment by a Supervisor
- Workplace Sexual Coercion
- Non-Employee Sexual Harassment
- Gay and Lesbian Sexual Harassment
- Sexual Harassment at Off-Site Events
- Stalking in the Workplace
- Criminal Sexual Conduct
- Sexual Joking
- Co-Worker Sexual Harassment
- Sexual Orientation Harassment
- Unwanted Physical Contact
- Same-Sex Sexual Harassment