This survey relates to sexual harassment in the workplace in Maine. It is being sponsored by #MaineCanDo, in partnership with Pan Atlantic Research. The data will be used by #MaineCanDo and its partner organizations to understand and raise awareness of the the level of workplace harassment in Maine.
This survey is completely confidential - your responses will be delivered directly to Pan Atlantic Research without being shared with anyone at the organization, and all data will be anonymized and analyzed at the county and state level, not by individual organization. Your responses will never be connected with any identifying information.Sexual harassment is defined as follows:
Sexual harassment is against state and federal law and includes unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature which threatens job security, working conditions, or advancement opportunities. Sexual harassment can be perpetrated by any gender or sexual orientation against any gender or sexual orientation. The two major categories of sexual harassment in federal and state law include quid pro quo harassment and harassment which creates a “hostile work environment.”
Quid pro quo harassment is when a job, promotion or other professional benefit is conditioned on the individual’s submission to sexual advances or other conduct or when such benefits are denied because the individual refused to submit to sexual request(s).
A hostile work environment is created when unwelcome verbal, physical or visual conduct is severe or pervasive, and creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment or interferes with work performance. Employees may experience this kind of sexual harassment even if the offensive conduct was not directed toward them.
Examples of sexual harassment include:
- Making sexually explicit or derogatory comments or jokes, either verbally or via email.
- Inappropriate touching or groping
- Questions about sex life or relationships
- Sexually suggestive looks, leers, noises, gestures
- Pictures, cartoons, screen savers
- Forwarding sexual material via e-mail or text
- Texting sexually explicit text or images
Discussion of sexual harassment can be difficult. If, for any reason, you would like more information or support regarding sexual harassment you can find many resources at http://www.mecando.org/ and http://www.mecasa.org/. The Maine Sexual Assault Helpline is 1-800-871-7741.These resources and this definition can be accessed at any time via the link at the top of the survey page.