Was I guilty of sexual harrassment?

Question

Years ago, I was accused of sexual harrassment once. Was I guilty? You tell me.

I was walking in the hallway and these two young attractive women, dressed in very short skirts, high heels, low cut blouses, and like they were going to go clubbing that night walked by. I admit I stopped and stared. They reported me for sexual harrassment. I wasn't their boss or even in their same area of the building.

Is that sexual harrassment?

Women, I'd really appreciate your opinion.

I accept what you say. It was a one time incident and no words were exchanged.

Really though. It's my fault. The fact that they were dressed extremely provocatively doesn't matter? If I had stared at them in a nightclub, which is what they were really dressed for, it would have been expected.

Answer 1

It is because that's how they perceived it. Harrassment isn't about your intentions. It's about the perceptions you create.

It doesn't matter if you're their superior or subordinate. If your leering made them uncomfortable, they had a right to report you and were justified in feeling that way. Leering at your coworkers is creepy.

I think the issue here is your ignorance. You should be aware of your responsibilities with regard to behavior in the workplace. You should know what is appropriate and what is not.

I hope that your employer will send you to training so you will learn how to behave properly in the workplace.

This is from the EEOC website. It explains what sexual harassment is:

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when this conduct explicitly or implicitly affects an individual's employment, unreasonably interferes with an individual's work performance, or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.

Sexual harassment can occur in a variety of circumstances, including but not limited to the following:

The victim as well as the harasser may be a woman or a man. The victim does not have to be of the opposite sex.
The harasser can be the victim's supervisor, an agent of the employer, a supervisor in another area, a co-worker, or a non-employee.
The victim does not have to be the person harassed but could be anyone affected by the offensive conduct.
Unlawful sexual harassment may occur without economic injury to or discharge of the victim.
The harasser's conduct must be unwelcome.


You created a hostile work environment with your gawking and leering and your conduct was, obviously, unwelcome, which is why they reported you.


Oh, and I love how you justify your gawking by saying that they were dressed to go clubbing. Are you trying to say it's their fault?

NO-- it does not matter how they were dressed. It's not your right to leer and gawk. Is it expected in a night club--because if someone did that to me in any situation--unless we were already dating, I'd think they were a disgusting pig who couldn't control themselves. It's disgusting and it's sick that the two of you think it's the woman's fault for attracting you. The more you write, the more sick you sound. I'm sorry I gave my honest opinion. Obviously, you were solely looking for absolution. You won't find it here. I think you need some kind of counseling.

TO CARLOS (NEXT POST): You are speaking from a place of complete ignorance. Title VII is a law. The law plainly states that the issue of harassment is defined in the perception of the offense--not the intention. This isn't a matter of opinion--it's a law. You are extremely ignorant and, if you can't control yourself, that's your problem. Get therapy.

Answer 2

Leering, staring or otherwise ogling can be considered sexual harassment. Some companies have 'zero tolerance policy' for sexually harassing behavior.

Whether your are "guilty or not" depends on a fuller description of your actions, what you said, if anything, and whether you had engaged in this type of behavior before.

From the description you provided, maybe.

Answer 3

Well, I'm going to have to disagree with most of the earlier responders. I do not think this behavior rises to the level of sexual harassment. Staring does not necessarily have a sexual connotation.

Isn't it weird how women will dress to be exceptionally attractive to men, then whine about it when men behave naturally?

Answer 4

do you consider harass one or two words.
truly this is political correctness run amok. if they were staring at some buff dude in gym clothes his response would be "cool".so the question is ladies do you want equal treatment consistently ,or only when it is to your advantage?

Answer 5

I would say yes if it made them feel uncomfortable - you were a stranger staring! sorry!

Answer 6

Yes it sure is. especially if your married. learn to control yourself.