Sexual harassment includes any unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or verbal and physical conduct of a sexual nature that affects your job. This can range from inappropriate comments and jokes to unwanted touching or explicit propositions.
Under New York City Human Rights Law, the conduct doesn’t have to be “severe or pervasive” like federal law requires—it just needs to be unwelcome. This means even isolated incidents can be actionable if they’re serious enough. The law also covers gender-based harassment, like being targeted for not conforming to gender stereotypes.
Remember, harassment can come from supervisors, coworkers, customers, or anyone you interact with during work. The key is whether the conduct is unwelcome and creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.