Put A Stop To Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment

Any worker in New York, regardless of gender or job title, can find themselves the target of sexual harassment. Whether you work in an office, a restaurant or anywhere else, you have the right to do your job without having to deal with harassment from coworkers or management.

While the law protects people from sexual harassment in the workplace, victims often face a complex road to recovering damages. The help of an experienced employment law attorney can be invaluable. The lawyers at Katz Melinger PLLC stand up for those who have experienced harassment at work, including quid pro quo harassment. We also represent employers in sexual harassment litigation.

What Is Quid Pro Quo Harassment?

There are two basic categories of sexual harassment: creating a hostile work environment and quid pro quo harassment. In the latter type, a manager, supervisor or executive where you work asks you for sexual favors in exchange for a promotion, raise or other professional benefit. Alternatively, the harasser could threaten to fire or demote you if you refuse their demands.

Quid pro quo sexual harassment is incredibly traumatic, and victims face significant fear and uncertainty. Will you lose your job? Do you have any options for stopping this behavior?

We help our clients understand their options and evaluate the best path forward for their particular situation. You can decide what you want to do based on the knowledge and guidance we provide.

What Are Examples Of Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment?

Quid pro quo sexual harassment is a type of sexual harassment. It occurs when a person in authority alters an employee’s terms and conditions of employment, either for the better if the employee submits to unwelcome sexual advances, or for the worse if the employee rejects the sexual advances.  It is not limited to male supervisors and female employees: a female supervisor can be held responsible for harassing a male employee, and same-sex harassment is also prohibited. Below are a few examples of quid pro quo sexual harassment:

• A business owner who conditions employment benefits, such as hiring, continued employment, promotions, raises, or bonuses on an employee’s acceptance of sexual advances.
• A manager who threatens an adverse employment action, such as termination, demotion, or transfer if the employee does not submit to the manager’s sexual advances.
•  A manager who issues an unfavorable performance evaluation after the employee rejects sexual advances.
• A supervisor who promises an employee overtime hours in exchange for sex.
• A CEO who fires an employee for declining a date.

Notably, as quid pro quo sexual harassment occurs between an authority figure, such as a manager, and their subordinate, employers are typically held strictly liable for a manager’s sexual misconduct. An employee in New York City can bring a quid pro quo sexual harassment claim under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, New York State Human Rights Law, and/or New York City Human Rights Law.

When Employers Retaliate Against Harassment Victims

Retaliating against employees for reporting sexual harassment is illegal. Unfortunately, some employers still retaliate against victims who step forward to report harassment rather than addressing the behavior of the harassers. As part of our comprehensive advocacy of your claims, our attorneys will help you take on your employer for illegal retaliation.

We Help New Yorkers Fight Back Against Sexual Harassment

If you have been subject to quid pro quo sexual harassment at work, contact Katz Melinger PLLC in New York City at 212-460-0047 or use our confidential online form. We represent clients throughout the New York metropolitan area, Nassau County, Suffolk County, Westchester County and northern New Jersey.