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Helping Address Sexual Harassment in Florida Workplaces
Sexual harassment is prohibited in Florida under the Florida Civil Rights Act (FCRA), which prevents employers with 15 or more staff from allowing workplace sexual harassment. Florida law provides protections against quid pro quo harassment, hostile work environments, and retaliation — whether or not you’ve reported sexual misconduct.
Sexual harassment often stems from power imbalances, where supervisors, managers, and co-workers abuse their position to intimidate, pressure, or demean employees. While comprehensive statewide surveys are limited, federal data reveals that Florida ranks second in the country for EEOC sexual harassment charges filed — with over 23,000 cases reported over the last 25 years. At the same time, only 6–13% of victims nationwide ever file an official complaint, underscoring how frequently sexual harassment goes unseen or unreported.
That’s where HarassmentHelp.org steps in. We offer confidential guidance, practical tools, and direct connections to award-winning Florida sexual harassment attorneys. Our role is to help you understand your rights, provide practical guidance, and take the next step with confidence — safely and confidentially.
Who We Are – HarassmentHelp.org
HarassmentHelp.org is a project of Phillips & Associates PLLC, a law firm focused on workplace sexual harassment and employee rights. Created by award-winning sexual harassment lawyers, we offer confidential support and practical guidance to help employees understand their rights, navigate workplace retaliation, and make informed decisions to protect their careers.
What Workplace Sexual Harassment Can Look Like in Florida
Sexual harassment at work in Florida can take many forms. Under both federal law (Title VII) and the Florida Civil Rights Act (FCRA), sexual harassment is considered unlawful sex discrimination. Even behavior that may seem “minor” — if it is unwelcome and based on sex — can qualify as workplace sexual harassment.
Inappropriate Comments and Sexual Jokes
Comments about your body, clothing, or sex life are not “just jokes.” They can create a hostile work environment. Examples include:
- “That outfit would be better if it were a little tighter.”
- “You’re way too attractive to be stuck working here.”
- “We should get drinks after your shift — I’d like to know you more.”
- “You’d move up faster in this company if you weren’t so uptight.”
Unwanted Touching and Physical Contact
Physical contact without your consent, whether it’s casual or under the guise of innocent familiarity, may be sexual harassment. Examples include:
- A manager rubbing your shoulders while you’re at your desk.
- A supervisor brushing against your body during meetings.
- A co-worker giving hugs after you’ve said no.
- A business owner grabbing your waist or thigh.
Digital Harassment and After-Hours Pressure
Florida workers are also protected from harassment that happens online or outside the office if it’s tied to the workplace. This includes:
- Receiving explicit images or sexual jokes in work texts, emails, or chats.
- Late-night messages that turn flirtatious or coercive.
- Pressure to respond to sexual advances outside work hours.
Flirtation That Won’t Stop
When you’ve made your boundaries clear but the flirtation continues — especially if saying no leads to hostility — that’s sexual harassment. Persistent unwanted flirtation can create a hostile work environment under the FCRA.
Quid Pro Quo Harassment (“This for That”)
When employment benefits are conditioned on sexual favors, it’s considered quid pro quo harassment, which is illegal in Florida. Examples include:
- A boss offering better shifts if you agree to a date.
- A supervisor promises a fast-track to promotion if you grab a drink together.
- A manager hinting that your job security depends on keeping things “friendly.”
Coercive Relationships and Grooming
Some supervisors, executives, or business owners may try to create “special” relationships — offering mentorship, perks, or opportunities — that gradually shift into coercion for dates, sex, or secrecy. When resisted, victims often face retaliation such as exclusion, schedule changes, or job loss.
Retaliation and Aftermath
Both Florida and federal law prohibit retaliation against employees who report harassment or participate in an investigation. Retaliation can include:
- Firing, demotion, or pay cuts after rejecting advances.
- Being reassigned to worse shifts or roles.
- Being excluded from meetings, client opportunities, or key projects after speaking up.
- Hostile treatment after making a complaint.
- Pressure to resign after ending a relationship with a supervisor.
Where Workplace Sexual Harassment Happens In Florida
- Job Interviews: Asking for dates, commenting on appearance, or offering jobs in exchange for sexual favors is illegal anywhere in Florida.
- Workplace Settings: Harassment can happen in offices, Miami Beach resorts, Orlando theme parks, hospitals, nursing homes, retail stores, construction sites, and more. Even seemingly small comments or gestures can create a hostile work environment.
- Off-Site Work Events: Company parties, client dinners, team outings, or events at hotels and convention centers are legally considered part of the workplace.
These environments can leave employees feeling powerless or uncertain about their rights. HarassmentHelp.org provides confidential guidance and practical support so Florida workers don’t have to face harassment alone.
Get Confidential Guidance Today
Florida Industries Where Sexual Harassment Happens
Sexual harassment isn’t always loud or obvious. In some of Florida’s most active industries, it can show up subtly, through offhand comments, or overtly through demands for sexual favors. Here are some common examples of how harassment can unfold in Florida workplaces:
Hospitality and Food Service
From Miami Beach resorts and Key West restaurants to Orlando’s massive theme park operations, Florida’s hospitality workers are on the front lines of customer interaction. Many face harassment in the form of unwanted physical contact, inappropriate jokes or advances from owners, supervisors, or co-workers.
Healthcare
Hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities across Florida employ hundreds of thousands of workers. In these high-stress environments, harassment can come from supervisors, peers, or even patients. It might involve sexually charged comments, inappropriate touching, or retaliation after rejecting advances.
Construction and Skilled Trades
Florida’s booming construction industry, from urban developments in Tampa to infrastructure projects in Jacksonville, can be especially hostile for women and LGBTQ+ workers. Harassment may include sexual jokes, unwanted attention, or repeated exposure to inappropriate behavior that gets dismissed as “part of the culture.”
Retail
Whether at high-end malls in Boca Raton or busy outlets near Orlando, Florida’s retail employees often encounter harassment from both customers and co-workers. This might involve suggestive remarks, pressure to flirt or look a certain way, or the promise of promotions or specific shifts in exchange for sexual favors.
Education and Research
From K–12 schools to major universities, educators and staff in Florida may face harassment from colleagues, supervisors, or even students. This can include inappropriate remarks, unwanted attention, or pressure to stay silent to avoid risking their job, reputation, or future advancement.
The HarassmentHelp.org RGA Approach
We guide you through RGA — Rights, Guidance, and Action, a safe and supportive process designed to help you protect yourself, preserve your career, and stop harassment.
- Rights – Understand Your Protections
We help you understand what’s acceptable in the workplace, what crosses the line, and how the law protects you from harassment and retaliation. - Guidance – Build Your Case Safely
We offer confidential, nonjudgmental support before any formal action, helping you evaluate the safest and most effective steps for your situation. - Action – Take Steps With Full Support
You never have to face harassment on your own. We can help you create a plan that feels safe and manageable, and connect you with trusted sexual harassment attorneys who can draft complaints, handle communication for you, or work toward a private resolution.
What To Do If You Are Experiencing Sexual Harassment at Work in Florida
If you’re experiencing harassment, here’s how the RGA approach works in real life:
Document What Happened
Write down the incident details as soon as possible—date, time, location, who was involved, and exactly what was said or done. Note any witnesses and save relevant messages, emails, or voicemails. The more detail you record, the stronger your case becomes.
Decide Whether to Confront the Harasser
You are not required to confront the person harassing you. Only consider it if you feel completely safe and supported. In some cases, telling them their behavior is inappropriate and unwelcome may stop it. If you’re unsure, uncomfortable, or fear retaliation, we’ll help you evaluate safer alternatives.
Report the Behavior—Safely and Strategically
Reporting harassment without preparation can be risky. We may be able to help you:
- Prepare a complaint or other communication with clear legal language that documents your rights.
- File a formal complaint with your employer or HR in a way that creates a legal record.
Even if your workplace doesn’t have an HR department, a written complaint to a manager, owner, or supervisor still matters. If harassment comes from a customer or client, your employer is still responsible for addressing it.
Explore a Quiet Resolution Before Filing a Formal Complaint
Sometimes you may want to resolve the situation without going public. Our attorneys can:
- Prepare a confidential summary of events.
- Outline the harm done and your legal protections.
- Communicate directly with your employer respectfully but firmly.
This approach can result in an immediate end to harassment, schedule or department changes, removal of the harasser, or a mediated agreement—without public exposure.
How HarassmentHelp.org Supports You Every Step of the Way
Here’s what working with us looks like from start to finish:
- Confidential Conversation – Share your story in a safe space — no pressure to act right away.
- Evidence Building – We help you keep detailed records of incidents, messages, and witnesses.
- Strategy – Connect you with top sexual harassment attorneys who can help with preparing complaints, filing complaints on your behalf, or pursuing private resolutions.
- Retaliation Guidance – Understand your rights and what steps to take if your employer pushes back.
Resources for Florida Employees
- Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR)
Enforces the Florida Civil Rights Act, investigating and resolving workplace harassment complaints. - Florida Council Against Sexual Violence (FCASV)
Offers statewide advocacy, training, and support services for survivors of sexual violence.
