Remote Workplace Sexual Harassment

 Posted on March 27, 2025 in Sexual Harassment

During COVID-19, American workers and American businesses had to rethink the way their employees worked. Before the pandemic, some companies had already begun trending toward remote work. After realizing remote work had been a success, many companies continued having their employees work remotely, while some went to a hybrid of some days in the office and some working from home.

Today, remote work remains a significant part of the employment landscape, and as remote work technologies continue to develop, this trend is likely to grow. While remote work offers flexibility for employees and lower overhead costs - along with a potentially broader talent pool - for employers, there are some remaining challenges. One of these is how to address sexual harassment in a workplace that is either partially or largely remote.

Sexual harassment can be both more subtle as well as less visible for remote workers compared to in-office settings where there are other employees who can observe inappropriate behavior. If you are a remote worker who has experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, speaking to an experienced Wheaton, IL, sexual harassment lawyer can help you decide what your next step should be.  

What Does Sexual Harassment in a Remote Work Setting Look Like?

In-person sexual harassment involves unwelcome advances, comments, or behavior. For remote workers, sexual harassment also involves these things, but through virtual interactions. While every situation is different, some of the most common forms of sexual harassment in the remote workplace involve:

Sending Inappropriate Messages to Co-Workers or Subordinates

Emails, text messages, social media messaging, and other instant messaging apps are the ways people communicate remotely. Those who engage in this type of sexual harassment usually try to send these messages through private accounts rather than work accounts, which could be monitored. Unfortunately, a person who might be nothing more than an annoyance in an in-person work situation often escalates his or her behavior when away from the watchful eyes of colleagues and supervisors.

Emails, texts, and instant messages may contain explicit language, unwelcome flirtations, suggestive or sexually explicit innuendos, or unprofessional comments, pictures, or jokes that make the recipient uncomfortable. Messages like this usually escalate over time with absolutely no encouragement from the recipient, who may fear retaliation if the behavior is addressed.   

Unwanted or Unwelcome Video Calls

While video conferencing through platforms like Skype or Zoom or through FaceTime on the individual’s cell phone may be the backbone of remote work, it can also be a vehicle for sexual harassment. Especially if the caller is a superior, the victim of the sexual harassment may feel "trapped" on camera. An employee may call a co-worker late at night, ostensibly to discuss a work issue, wearing revealing clothing, flirting, or making sexually suggestive comments. The victim may feel intimidated by the invasiveness of video calls. Digital "stalking" and using tracking software to monitor a co-worker or subordinate’s online activity are also forms of sexual harassment that can adversely affect the victim’s job performance.  

Sexual Harassment Through Social Media

Especially for those who work remotely, the lines between the personal and professional lives of employees can blur. Social media can make this line even less clear. When an employee or supervisor constantly sends another employee multiple friend requests – despite them being ignored - or follows him or her on multiple social media platforms, it can feel a lot like stalking. This may be followed by sending sexually explicit messages through messaging apps on social media. A harasser may "tag" the victim in posts that are inappropriate or could share or repost sexually explicit photos, jokes, and other materials.  

Contact a DuPage County, IL Sexual Harassment Lawyer

If you are the victim of sexual harassment as a remote worker or as an in-office or in-person worker, it is important that you take immediate steps to address the issue. When you have a highly experienced, compassionate Wheaton, IL sexual harassment attorney from Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC, we will help you take the appropriate steps protect yourself from the sexual harassment. If appropriate, we will help you file a sexual harassment lawsuit. When you choose MKFM Law, you can be confident that we will fight for justice on your behalf. Call 630-665-7300 to schedule your initial attorney meeting.