Inappropriate jokes and comments can often lead to claims of sexual harassment in the workplace. Even if someone often makes these types of jokes in their personal life, making them in a professional context can cause problems.
For instance, an employee may claim that their supervisor made inappropriate comments or jokes in front of the rest of the team, and that they were the brunt of that joke. They feel singled out and harassed because of this treatment.
Was it actually a joke?
One important question to ask is if the initial comments were a joke or not. After all, many people will use “I was just joking” as an excuse, even if the initial comments were serious.
For instance, perhaps a supervisor told an employee who was up for a promotion that they would get the promotion if they engaged in a sexual relationship with the supervisor. The employee reported this conduct, and the supervisor claimed that it was just a joke that was taken out of context. They may say that the lower-level employee just does not have a sense of humor or did not get it.
But another key thing to keep in mind is that, even if that supervisor was authentically joking, those types of jokes can still cross the line. They can still make people uncomfortable and qualify as sexual harassment. They can also contribute to the development of a hostile workplace if a certain employee finds that they are always being targeted by these types of jokes or comments.
Your rights as an employee
If you are an employee and you believe you are experiencing sexual harassment on the job, it is important to know exactly what rights and legal options you have. You do not have to experience this type of treatment, and there are steps that you can take at this time.