The 'Am I Being Sexually Harassed?' Quiz - Find Out If You Are a Victim At Work
When it comes to sexual harassment, any comments that you make about it can be like playing the minefield. It could just be an inoffensive joke - or you could actually be sexually harassed.
But where can you draw the line? How do you know if the person is innocently joking or if you are a victim of sexual harassment? Well, this "Am I being sexually harassed quiz" should tell you whether you have a hostile work environment where people are making inappropriate comments.
Common Signs of Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is a great problem, as it can lead to a hostile work environment. Before you take the quiz, you might want to learn the signs of sexual harassment, which include:
- Spreading rumors of a sexual nature, whether they are online or in-person
- Making sexual jokes or comments
- Asking for an exchange for sexual favors (quid pro quo)
- Pressuring someone into sending nude pictures
- Posting sexual content on social media
- Inquiring about someone's sex life
- Showing inappropriate pictures to someone at the workplace
- Unwanted touching of sexual nature without permission
These signs of harassment may take many forms. Find out whether you are being exposed to sexual harassment or not by taking the quiz below.
The Sexual Harassment Quiz
Men and women have different experiences when they are exposed to sexual harassment. Whether they are making comments innocently or are harassing you, this quiz should let you know if you are a victim of sexual harassment.
1. Does someone repeatedly make sexually explicit or inappropriate comments about your body?
By sexually explicit comments, we mean repeated unwanted comments about the way in which your body looks, be it in private or in front of other people. If this happens, it counts as sexual harassment.
2. Do you often get remarks about your sex or gender?
Do you get a lot of sexist remarks thrown your way? Are you often the object of sexual jokes because of your gender? In that case, you might be a victim of sexual harassment.
3. Are you being inappropriately touched often?
When someone touches you without your consent, this is considered to be sexual harassment. This includes but is not limited to repetitive hugs, kissing, touching private zones (breasts and genitals), slapping your butt, or any other form of unwanted touching.
4. Have you been proposed a 'quid pro quo'?
Quid pro quo occurs when someone of a higher rank offers or threatens to take away a promotion or a bonus in exchange for sexual favors. In that case, you are definitely dealing with a type of sexual harassment.
5. Is there someone that continuously sends inappropriate gestures in your direction?
Inappropriate gestures can take many forms. The harasser might ogle you, catcall, or do some specific gestures with their hand. In that case, women and men exposed to this kind of behavior might be sexually harassed.
6. Is someone telling you about or sending you sexually explicit content?
Sexually explicit content has no place in the workplace. This can take a variety of forms, from someone sending you late-night texts with uncomfortable content or making sexual jokes about their or your sex life.
7. Are your superiors treating you differently simply because you are a male or a woman?
In a mostly male environment, women might be treated differently simply because they are of a certain sex. The same thing could apply to men in a women-based environment. If you receive gifts with sexual innuendos, then the law could be on your side.
8. Is anyone continuously flirting with you, even if their behavior is making you feel uncomfortable?
Flirting may only be accepted when every party involved gives their consent or responds. If their behavior obviously brings you discomfort but you can't get them to stop.
9. Did they stop making sexual comments once you asked them to do so?
In some cases, it might be in the person's nature to make sexual jokes, not knowing that they are not appreciated.
If you asked them to stop with their inappropriate comments and they still continue with this, then you might have a sexual harassment problem.
10. Is anyone repeatedly rubbing against you intentionally?
If someone is intentionally rubbing against you, it counts as unwanted touching. If the behavior is not accidental and it continues even after you tell them to stop, then you may need to report this to your employer.
When someone is purposely pulling at your clothes and brushing against you sexually, with you being unable to break free, you are definitely being harassed. In this case, you might file a report with the police and seek legal counsel.
11. Did anyone pretend to be someone else online and make sexual comments?
Making sexual comments online while pretending to be someone else is just as bad as making those comments face-to-face at the workplace.
12. Is anyone continuously asking you on a date, even if you said no?
Mutual attraction in the workplace may occur, in which case, dating or asking a coworker out isn't harassment and may be allowed. However, if they still ask you to go on a date with them even after you say no, this will constitute sexual harassment.
13. Is there anyone continuously making comments about the way in which you are dressed?
Even if they are dressed appropriately for work, women may receive sexual comments about the way a dress shows off their legs and hugs their body, or a shirt compliments their waist and physical shape.
14. Is there anyone at the workplace continuously asking about your sex life?
People might ask for details about your sex life, such as your past relationship or preferences. If they keep inquiring about this even if it makes you uncomfortable, then it might constitute sexual harassment. If this happens, you may file a report against the harasser.
15. Is anyone spreading sexually related rumors about you?
These rumors might include anything from the way your body looks to your sexual orientation or whether you had sexual relationships or not.
16. Did anyone try to pressure you into sending them naked pictures?
This might be online, or by text. Whether you are a client or an employee, and you are pressured under quid pro quo circumstances to send naked pictures over the phone.
17. Does anyone regularly call you in terms of endearment at work?
A person might not always engage in physical contact or ask for sexual favors in order to be deemed a sexual harasser. If they call you terms such as "honey" or "sweetheart," then this can count as verbal abuse and you have the law on your side.
18. Do you get inappropriate contact from women at work?
No matter if you are male or female, inappropriate physical or verbal contact is still considered physical harassment.
If a woman offers you sexual relations in exchange for something at work, it's deemed as quid pro quo sexual harassment.
19. Are you being denied benefits simply because you are of a certain gender?
Sexism is also seen as sexual harassment, in which case the law is on your side. If an employer or a co-worker comments that they won't give you a job that you can or want to do, or ask for sexual relations in return for it, then this is a sexual harassment problem.
Differences between Sexual Harassment and Flirting
In order to determine if you are being sexually harassed by another person at work, you must be able to make a difference between flirting and harassment.
When flirting occurs, the attention goes both ways. In retrospect, flirting feels good. If a coworker flirts with you and you flirt back, then it means both of you are attracted to one another. There is no sign of disrespect or sexual harassment in these circumstances.
With that in mind, ask yourself how you feel when they flirt or are intentionally touching you. If it feels wrong, then it's most likely sexual harassment that can lead to legal issues.
Unless both parties want that attention, these actions cannot be considered flirting.
The Bottom Line
Sexual harassment is a serious problem that can lead to a hostile work environment. If you answered yes to some or most of the questions above, then you are certainly dealing with a sexual harassment problem and you should look for legal advice.
You may either file a report with your employer or seek the help of an attorney. The law protects you in these circumstances, and if you are a victim, you should not have to put up with this kind of discomfort. Your employer should consider investing in our sexual harassment compliance training program to educate all of its employees to avoid this kind of harassment situation in the future.
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