Is it Sexual Harassment if I ask a Co-worker for a Date?
A 2013 survey from CareerBuilder found that 40% of people have dated a coworker at some point during their employment, and about a third of people married a coworker. Therefore, it’s not unreasonable to feel attracted to someone you work with. Nevertheless, what you do about that attraction can potentially get you into hot water.
Can I Ask a Co-Worker Out on a Date?
This is a hot button topic, and one that is filled with potential liabilities for companies. For this reason, many companies have policies in place that ban interoffice dating. Others simply frown upon dating coworkers. While there is no official state or federal policy against dating at work, it is best to first check and see if your company has any rules against it. There are a lot of potential liabilities for both employees and their employers, so many businesses threaten suspensions or even termination if you break workplace policies surrounding dating at work. These rules are enforceable.
Can It Be Considered Sexual Harassment to Ask a Co-worker Out on a Date?
If there is no policy against dating at your workplace, then in general it is not considered sexual harassment to ask a co-worker out on a date. The general rule of thumb is that once is enough. If you are told no, then better practice is to resist the urge to keep trying because this can then become construed as sexual harassment, even if your intentions are genuine. In general, if a coworker declines your invitation the first time then it is wise to back off. Someone saying they are busy and cannot make it that night may also constitute as a ‘no’. Unless the person you are asking suggests that another night or time might be considered.
Sexual Harassment and Dating
The ‘one ask rule’ is a pretty good rule of thumb, but there are some situations in which even asking a co-worker on a date can become sexual harassment. For example, if your boss talks about a great promotion opportunity for you, but will only discuss it if you agree to a date with him, that could constitute harassment. A supervisor or boss can never demand a date in exchange for anything work related. If you feel you have been the victim of sexual harassment or are currently being harassed, we urge you to contact our law firm. Out highly experienced sexual harassment lawyers can help you resolve your problem and receive proper compensation.
https://klinglerlaw.com/faq/asked-date-coworker-sexual-harassment/
https://www.traliant.com/blog/2018/02/21/is-it-sexual-harassment-to-ask-a-co-worker-out-on-a-date/