What is the best way to handle sexual advances from an employer without losing one’s job?
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What is the best way to handle sexual advances from an employer without losing one’s job?
If your company won’t do anything and you don’t feel safe there, start looking for a position elsewhere. Don’t let the harasser bully you out of a job before you’re ready, but don’t feel trapped either. Sometimes a sexual harasser will work on your head and make you feel like nobody else would want you. Don’t believe it. You’ll be amazed how relieved you’ll be to get out of a bad situation. One last thing: If you don’t report sexual harassment, there will be other victims and the behavior will get worse. Stand up for your right to a safe workplace. Your employer has a duty to keep your workplace free of sexual harassment. It’s the law.
First, you have no obligation to be polite. That said, you may wish to remain a successful employee in your boss’ organization and recognize there may be more practical approaches than bluntly calling him out or complaining to his superior or HR, especially if the sexual advances are in the minor category, such as flirting with some sexual innuendos. Barring any hint or implied threat that refusing his advances might have implications to your job/career success or inclusion of some explicit gutter language, a non-offensive approach may be reasonable and eliminate a lot of drama, while making it clear you are not interested.