Sexual Favoritism

One form of hostile environment sexual harassment is sexual favoritism.

The word "favoritism" may seem positive. However, this type of favoritism based on gender can lead to a hostile work environment. For example, female employees could be made to feel that management sees them only as objects, and that women must act a certain way toward their supervisors in order to receive better treatment.

For example, a supervisor may flirt with female employees. These employees may receive better hours or more requested days off. A new female employee could observe this and decide that she, too, must conduct herself in a similar manner. She may be uncomfortable with this, but also feel that it is her only way to receive equal treatment. At the same time, a male employee may observe this and realize that he does not have access to this same preferential treatment.

Remember that one does not have to be a recipient of sexual harassment to be a victim of a hostile work environment. Both employees have a potential court case because the supervisor created a hostile work environment for men and women.

To learn more about Sexual Harassment Prevention For Employees visit our Cal/OSHA Sexual Harassment Prevention For Employees Online Training web page.