Sexual Favoritism is a form of sexual harassment. This type of harassment manifests in many forms. Find out whether your workplace suffers from this type of harassment.
Sexual Favoritism occurs when employees, who submit to a manager or supervisors sexual demands, are rewarded by that manager or supervisor. The victims in this case are those employees, who do not submit to the demands, therefore do not receive the “benefits” of the submission.
An example is when employees, who are otherwise denied raises or promotions, may claim that they were penalized by the sexual attention directed at the favored coworkers.
This type of harassment:
- Creates a Hostile Environment
- May also be addressed as Quid Pro Quo
- May occur with frequency or occur once (such as Quid Pro Quo)
- The harasser must have authority over the victim (supervisor or manager)
Liability
The employer may be held liable for unlawful sex discrimination against other persons who were qualified for but were denied that employment opportunity or benefit. The supervisor may also be held liable.
Note: isolated events and non-coerced submission to sexual demands have not been upheld by the courts as sexual harassment. Isolated events and consensual relationships may not rise to the level of sexual harassment, but should be discouraged particularly in relationships between supervisors and subordinates
Court Case
Astra AB, a Swedish company, admitted it allowed a hostile work environment — including requests for sexual favors in exchange for favorable treatment — for women at its U.S. headquarters in Westboro, Massachusetts.
Award: $9,850,000 in monetary damages
Protect your company — provide harassment prevention training for your employees.
