Is a Request for Sex in Return for a Promotion Considered Harassment?
In the workplace, as in life, it is important to have respect for the people that you deal with. Disrespect in the workplace can create an unpleasant working environment and negatively affect the careers of staff members. A person who engages in sexual harassment is showing a lack of respect for the people with whom they work, and even for themselves. When it is a manager or executive who engages in sexual harassment, then the situation can get even worse.
Can A Manager Request Sex In Return For A Promotion?
Generally, a request for sex in exchange for advancement at your job is considered sexual harassment. You might think you can ignore such a request, but it can often go way beyond simply refusing a promotion because of the conditions tied to it. Your manager could take offense to your refusal and make your job extremely difficult. There could be new obstacles to professional success put in your way, and you might even lose your job. These types of propositions are rarely situations that just go away after they have occurred.
What Should You Do?
The most important thing you can do prior to filing a sexual harassment complaint with your company is to acquire as much documentation and evidence as you can, including tape records, texts, e-mails, and write down all of the pertinent information you can think of. Try to remember, and confirm on a tape, as much of the conversation as you can.
If there are co-workers who have witnessed that manager trying to make sexual advances at you, then you might want to ask them to give an oral statement, or even possibly sign an affidavit. It may be difficult to get co-workers to agree to sign affidavits, but you will never know until you ask.
Hire An Attorney
The fallout from being refused a promotion because of a sexual advance can be serious. You should hire an experienced sexual harassment attorney to make sure that you have a legal consultant on your side. It can be difficult to say what would happen after your encounter with your manager, but it is always best to be prepared for any contingency.
Our firm has many years of experience in helping victims of sexual harassment. If you have been sexually propositioned as part of a promotion at work, then we recommend that you contact one of our sexual harassment lawyers to help preserve your rights in this tense situation.