Sexual Harassment at Work

Understanding, preventing, and addressing sexual harassment in the workplace.

Written by TrainingCourseMaterial.com – trusted by over 5,000 professional trainers worldwide.

What Is Sexual Harassment?

Sexual harassment includes any unwelcome sexual behavior that affects your ability to do your job. According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), this includes:

  • Being promised a job or promotion in exchange for sexual favors.
  • Being fired or demoted for refusing a sexual request.
  • Working in a hostile or abusive environment due to others’ sexual behavior.

In all of these cases, the behavior is not just inappropriate—it’s unlawful.

Guidelines for Preventing Harassment

  • Maintain professional boundaries: Avoid discussing your sex life or engaging in suggestive conversations at work. Keep all interactions courteous and work-focused.
  • Treat others respectfully: Show courtesy and fairness to colleagues. Respect is often returned in kind.
  • Stay alert while traveling: On business trips, avoid private meetings in hotel rooms. If a setting becomes inappropriate or uncomfortable—such as a colleague becoming intoxicated—remove yourself.
  • Understand your company’s policies: Learn what support systems and reporting procedures are in place to protect you and your colleagues.

What to Do If You're Harassed

Don’t ignore it. Take action as early as possible. Here’s how:

  • Speak up: If you feel safe doing so, let the harasser know their behavior is unwelcome and must stop.
  • Document everything: Keep notes of incidents, including dates, times, locations, and witnesses.
  • Report it: Contact your human resources department or follow your company’s official process for filing a complaint.
  • Seek support: Counseling and legal advice can help you cope and take the right steps.
Remember: Ignoring harassment won't make it go away. Addressing it protects not only you—but also others in your workplace.

Explore More

Looking to train your team on workplace ethics and respect? Download our Business Etiquette Training Material Package for editable training slides, activities, and trainer guides.

Also see our article on Traveling with Colleagues for more workplace tips.

About the author: This article was created by the editorial team at TrainingCourseMaterial.com, a trusted source used by thousands of professionals and trainers around the world.