Sexual harassment is not limited to cross-gender relations. Workplace harassment can take many different forms, and unacceptable actions may continue for years if the issue is not made known. Those who do speak up may face retaliation, and anyone who witnesses, or is a victim of sexual harassment should seek to understand their rights and responsibilities under the law.

Our readers in Denver may be interested in this case recently brought to light by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. A popular eatery in New York, famous for being the site of a mafia murder in the mid-80s, has come under fire for allegedly allowing a male manager to harass almost two dozen male employees of the restaurant.

According to the EEOC, the harassment was not curtailed even after multiple complaints, and many who did speak out were assigned harder tasks or suspended from work. The restaurant has agreed to settle the case out of court to avoid further bad publicity and legal costs. The EEOC notes that while reports of harassment are generally in decline, filings by men have increased over time to comprise 16 percent of charges.

Harassment can make people feel uncomfortable in the workplace, create a hostile work environment, and generally cause conflict that is counterproductive to a healthy working environment. Such conditions should never be allowed to persist, and understanding the process of reporting harassment and how to address common issues is the first step towards creating a fair and equitable workplace for all employees.

Source: The Denver Post, "Steakhouse settles male-on-male harassment lawsuit," Sam Hananel, Nov. 15, 2012