Is it considered sexual harassment if your employer watches porn day in and day at work?
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Is it considered sexual harassment if your employer watches porn day in and day at work?
He is the owner of his business and I am the only full-time employee and he has a part-time girl also. He will sit in his office and watch porn day and day out. You can hear it sometimes but if you are faxing an item you can see it on his computer. He will close his screen if he sees you coming. I just think it is sick and I am desperately looking for another job to get out of there.
Asked on September 15, 2016 under Employment Labor Law, North Carolina
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
No, while this does consitute grossly unprofessional behvior, it does not consitute any form of actionable harassment. The fact is that most employment is "at will" which means that a business owner can set the conditions of the workplace much as it sees fit. This, unfortunately, includes viewing pornography in their office. The only claim you would have is if this treatment constitutes some form of legally actionable discrimination (which it does not appear to since sexual harassment at work typically has to do with unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors or the like), or if this action violates the terms of a union agreement/employment contract. Your only recoure is to put up with this bad behavior, complain and risk termination, or quit.
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