The holiday office party is usually the time for ugly Christmas sweaters, too many trips to the dessert table and awkward Secret Santa gift exchanges – but they can also create situations where the normal workplace boundaries get stretched thin (or outright broken) after a few cocktails.
Sexual harassment can, unfortunately, be an issue at workplace parties – both on-site and off. Here’s what you need to know:
Sexual harassment doesn’t take a holiday
Precisely because people tend to “let their hair down” at a holiday party, it can be a little harder to spot inappropriate behavior at one. Here are some examples of what sexual harassment might look like during one of these events:
- Forced contact: Kissing under the mistletoe may be a Christmas tradition, but it’s not fun when it’s forced. It’s not funny when someone tries to compel you into making physical contact when you don’t want to do so – tradition or not.
- Inappropriate comments: Remarks about how your chest looks in that Santa sweater or how much your co-worker would like to see you “gift-wrapped and under their tree” are unacceptable even during parties.
- Sexually suggestive gifts: X-rated videotapes, lingerie (for men or women) and sex toys may get a laugh when they’re opened, but the target of these “gifts” may be quite embarrassed.
Quite often, alcohol is the biggest contributor to these kinds of problems at office parties – but that doesn’t excuse your employer from responsibility. In fact, your employer has a clear legal duty to protect their employees from this kind of behavior – whether the party is at the office or elsewhere. If you’ve been victimized at a holiday party and it has affected your peace of mind, your work and your life in other ways, it may be time to seek legal guidance.