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Valentine’s Day Is A Workplace Sexual Harassment Risk

Valentine’s Day is a workplace sexual harassment risk

Valentine’s Day is a workplace sexual harassment risk, according to experts.

Workers can be tempted to send their secret office love interest an anonymous card or an inappropriate gift.

However, industrial advocate Miles Heffernan warns that workplace sexual harassment rules apply every day of the year.

“Valentine’s Day does not give anyone a free pass to behave inappropriately in the workplace,” he said.

“Sexual harassment can include sending unwanted gifts and messages and also asking for sex or dates. So, it can also definitely be a risk for workers.”

Valentine’s Day sexual harassment risk

Valentine’s Day is when those who want to express their love to that special someone can. However, it’s also a chance for some to pursue a secret romantic interest – and that’s where the trouble comes.

Sexual harassment is any unwelcome behaviour that is sexual in nature, that makes a person feel offended, humiliated or intimidated.

For example, messages and gifts that are sexual in nature, and unsolicited requests for dates or sex.

If the conduct is unwelcome and has a sexual element (as many Valentine’s Day cards and gifts do) then it could constitute sexual harassment.

Recently, the University of New Orleans was criticised for its harassment policy that stipulates that suggestive Valentine’s Day cards could be evidence of sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment includes offering inappropriate or unwanted gifts.

No place in the workplace

Mr Heffernan advised workers to keep their Valentine’s Day gifts and messages out of the workplace.

“Save the flowers and the chocolates for people who you don’t work with,” he said. “That way, you will keep your job and won’t be defending a sexual harassment claim.

“Because if you’re only defence is – ‘Oh, but it was Valentine’s Day’ – then you can be sure a subsequent court case isn’t going to end well for you.”

Mr Heffernan also advised businesses to email staff to remind them of their obligations when it comes to sexual harassment and appropriate workplace conduct, including during Valentine’s Day.


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