Working closely alongside each other day in, day out, means people often develop strong feelings for co-workers, but this can cause problems when the feelings aren’t mutual. If your office admirer won’t take no for an answer, it can make things very difficult for you, affecting your well-being as well as your work.
If you feel you are being sexually harassed at work, you should raise it with your line manager and your union rep if you have one. Ask your manager to follow the company policy for tackling harassment. If the problem cannot be resolved, you will need to consider putting in a formal grievance and, if necessary, take Employment Tribunal proceedings. The legal definition of sexual harassment involves showing that you have been subjected to unwanted sexual conduct that violates your dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, offensive or humiliating environment for you.
Cases of sexual harassment are often attempted to be excused as “a bit of fun”, especially at times like Valentine’s Day or at office parties, but they’re no fun for the person being harassed, and you shouldn’t be expected to just laugh it off every time if it continues. Behaviour of this sort is unacceptable, as well as unprofessional, particularly if people make it clear they don’t like it.
