New York Sexual Bribery Lawyer

Manhattan Sexual Harassment Attorneys

The New York sexual harassment attorneys at Phillips & Associates are dedicated to protecting your rights in the workplace. Our law firm has extensive experience representing individuals who have been the victims of all manifestations of sexual harassment at work. We provide high quality representation to clients within New York City and across the Tri-State area.

Understanding Sexual Bribery

Sexual bribery is in an employment setting is generally defined as a “form of quid pro quo harassment in which a sexual relationship with an employer or superior is made an explicit or implied condition for obtaining/retaining employment or its benefits.”

Another kind of sexual bribery, which is less likely to be an issue in the traditional employment context, exists where sex is used in lieu of money in order to pressure or lobby a person in position of power to conform to a certain agenda. For example, a prostitute offering sex to a law enforcement officer in order to ensure that solicitation charges against the prostitute are dismissed could constitute sexual bribery.

Sexual Bribery in the Workplace

A common example of sexual bribery in the workplace can involve solicitation of sexual activity or sexually related behavior, which is accompanied by a promise of some sort of reward or other incentive, such as a promotion or a raise.

Bribes of this nature can be explicit and obvious or subtle and covert. A sexual bribe can be implied through commentary on a forwarded email, for example. Phrases such as, “You scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours” can be considered inappropriate depending upon the circumstances.

One of the most obvious forms of sexual bribery in the workplace is most likely attempted coercion into sexual activity under the threat of punishment. Examples of this type of coercion include the threat of:

• Negative performance evaluations
• Withholding of or unlawful passing over for promotions or raises
• Threat of termination

Sexual Bribery Is Impermissible in the Workplace

New York and federal laws protect individuals in the workplace against sexual harassment. Federal law, which includes Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibits against all forms of gender discrimination, which includes sexual harassment. Sexual bribery is a form of prohibited sexual harassment under this law. New York’s Human Rights Law has a similar prohibition against discrimination upon the basis of a person’s sex.

If you believe that you have been the victim of sexual bribery, it is important to keep the most detailed records that you can regarding the aggressor’s behavior. Oftentimes there are no third party witnesses to the conduct, therefore your records can become very important. Any additional documentation you may be able to provide, such as emails, text messages, or social media posts will also likely help your case.

Further, it is important to keep in mind that you do not have to tolerate sexual bribery. In addition to making it clear to the person whom is harassing you that the behavior is not acceptable, make use of your employer’s reporting system in order to ensure your employer is on notice of the inappropriate conduct.