Quid pro quo sexual harassment is a bit different than other types of harassment employees may claim to experience on the job. In many ways, it is a type of manipulation. It puts an employee into a complicated situation where they may feel like they have to go along with the harassment, and their involvement may appear consensual to an outsider.
This manipulation is often done by exchanging certain workplace benefits or advancements, or by giving an employee a greater sense of security in their job. The term quid pro quo itself refers to exchanging things, and it is the exchange of a sexual relationship for these workplace benefits.
One example of how this could happen
Every sexual harassment case is unique, but quid pro quo harassment could happen if an employee is seeking a promotion. Perhaps they have a supervisor who gets to determine who receives the promotion. That supervisor is in a position of power, not just in the business hierarchy, but because they are, in some ways, in charge of the employee’s future.
As such, the supervisor tells the employee that in exchange for a sexual relationship, they will make sure they are the one who gets the promotion.
Moreover, the employee may be worried about losing their job if they do not agree. If they turn down their supervisor’s advances, does that mean they will never get a promotion or a raise again? Could they even be at risk of losing their job the next time there are layoffs?
Legal options for employees
Situations like this can become very complex for employees, who are naturally worried about their future but know that they are being put into a compromising situation. For those who believe they have been experiencing sexual harassment on the job, it is important to know exactly what legal options they have and what steps they can take.