Sexual harassment can occur at any point during a work arrangement. A professional who has been with the company for years might face harassment when they transfer to a new department or the company hires a new supervisor. New hires who are not familiar with the culture at a company may be particularly susceptible to sexual harassment, especially in the form of a hostile work environment created by their co-workers.
Professionals generally need to be ready to advocate for themselves at any point, but they may be more effective at asserting themselves if they recognize when they are at elevated risk of misconduct. Professionals seeking promotions are especially vulnerable to quid pro quo sexual harassment.
Promotions require internal support
Securing a promotion may feel like the next natural step in the progression of a career. However, the worker looking to move into management or secure an advancement opportunity likely requires support from within the company to achieve their professional ambitions.
Frequently, those seeking promotions need letters of recommendation from someone who supervises them in their current position. They might also need support from team members and others within the company’s hierarchy.
That need for internal support for recommendations creates an opportunity for quid pro quo harassment. Those in a position to recommend a worker or negatively review them may try to leverage that authority for personal gain. For example, a supervisor might insist that they cannot recommend an employee as an assertive team player unless they agree to meet some of that supervisor’s personal demands.
Particularly in scenarios where promotions involve a review of disciplinary records or require internal letters of recommendation, the company may have created a scenario in which certain professionals can engage in quid pro quo harassment of others. No professional should have to compromise their personal boundaries for advancement opportunities. Those facing harassment or denied opportunities because they do not concede to inappropriate demands may need to take legal action.
If companies do not protect workers from quid pro quo sexual harassment, then they may be liable for the misconduct that workers experience. Recognizing that promotions may open the door to inappropriate conduct can help professionals assert themselves when they face harassment and discrimination in the workplace.
