The Alternative Press

New Jersey and Federal laws have been passed to protect employees from sexual harassment. There are two types of harassment that are covered, "quid pro quo" and "hostile environment" harassment.

Quid pro quo sexual harassment occurs when a supervisor tries to make an employee submit to sexual demands as a condition of his or her employment. Hostile work environment sexual harassment exists when a supervisor or co-employees harasses an employee because of his or her sex to the point in which the working environment becomes hostile.

You may have a quid pro quo sexual harassment cause of action if you can answer yes to these questions:

1. Did a supervisor subject you to unwelcome sexual conduct?
2. When you declined to submit to the sexual advances, did the supervisor punish you for rejecting his or her sexual overtures by negatively affecting your employment, like firing, failing to promote or demoting you from your job?

You may have a valid claim for hostile work environment harassment if you can answer yes to any of these questions:

1. Did a supervisor or co-employee pick you to be the victim of harassment because of your sex?
2. Did you have to work in a sexually charged atmosphere? For example, were you subjected to sexual jokes, pornography on computers, inappropriate physical touching, romantic or sexual letters or emails, or other similar type of inappropriate sexual conduct?
3. Did the sexual harassment continue for a long period of time? Did sexually harassing events happen often?
4. Was the conduct so bad that most people of your gender would consider your working environment to be hostile or abusive?

Sexual harassment in the work place is an extremely stressful and emotional issue that needs to be addressed. It is very important for victims of sexual harassment to act immediately in order to perfect their claims. It is highly recommended that victims of sexual harassment meet with attorneys who practice employment law, so that these employees can understand their rights and options regarding the filing of a claim of sexual harassment pursuant to State or Federal law.