Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment

There are two broad types of sexual harassment that have been recognized by the courts of the United States. The first type is quid pro quo sexual harassment.

Just as the Latin of its name suggests, in this type of sexual harassment, there is an exchange of some sort that takes place. In the most classic example of quid pro quo sexual harassment, the employer, boss, or supervisor suggests an exchange of submitting to sexual demands for a job benefit, better working conditions, etc. The flip side of this exchange is that the boss will threaten to fire, lay off, or terminate the employee in the event of the refusal of sexual demands.

This type of sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and any other types of verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. The thing to remember about quid pro quo sexual harassment is that it is tied to some quality of employment for the recipient of the advances. To put it simply, acceptance or rejection of the advances has a direct effect on the employment decisions regarding the employee.

As an example, quid pro quo occurs when a manager or supervisor of either gender makes some sort of unwelcome sexual advances toward an employee or other subordinate. While making these advances, it is implied or stated outright that the employee's decision regarding the advances will be directly tied to employment.

Either the employee will receive a promotion, a raise, a coveted job assignment, or some other benefit for accepting or the employee will get to keep his or her current job for accepting the advances. This sort of harassment really only can occur when the employer/harasser has true authority over the employee.

This type of harassment need only occur once for the company or employer to get in trouble. There is nothing that requires repeated advances like in the hostile environment category. In addition, the courts have decreed that even where the employee submits to the demands and receives a benefit in exchange, there is a case.

Contact a Houston Sexual Harassment Attorney

If you have been the victim of sexual harassment of any type at work, contact a Houston employment lawyer from the Ross Law Group today at 713-482-6910.