When putting together a survey to help identify whether sexual harassment is lurking in your organization, asking the right questions is key. We have compiled a list of questions to choose from when building your own survey.
Define the Line defines sexual harassment as Any act perceived as having sexual intent that makes an individual uncomfortable. Based on this definition, have you experienced sexual harassment while working for COMPANY?
a. Yes
b. No
c. Maybe
d. I don’t know
Define the Line defines sexual harassment as Any act perceived as having sexual intent that makes an individual uncomfortable. Based on this definition, are you aware of or been witness to sexual harassment in the workplace?
a. Yes
b. No
c. Maybe
d. I don’t know
If you have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, please indicate the type. (Check all that apply) If you have not experienced sexual harassment, please check the last box.
a. Unwanted touching
b. Verbal remarks of a sexual nature (including jokes and innuendos) directed towards you or in your presence
c. Inappropriate or offensive comments towards you or in your presence
d. Gestures of a sexual nature, including exposure of any private parts
e. Persistent and unwanted invitations of a sexual nature
f. Lustful staring at you or a part of your body
g. Messages of a sexual nature sent to you via e-mail, direct messaging, or through social media
h. Obscene images in the workplace including calendars, desktop screens, and posters
i. Stalking - online or physically
j. Sexual coercion or quid pro quo which is where a person promises or hints at enhanced career prospects in return for a sexual favor, or threatens adverse career impact if you do not respond favorably
k. Sexual assault or rape (please know that this is a criminal offense and you have the right to report it to the police)
l. Other (please specify)
m. I have not experienced any form of sexual harassment
I am confident in my understanding of what constitutes sexual harassment.
a. Yes
b. No
c. 50-50
Who sexually harassed you? (Check all that apply)
a. A colleague
b. Manager/Supervisor
c. Owner/Board member
d. Vendor
e. Client
f. Donor
g. Contractor
h. Customer
i. I don’t know the person
j. Other
Who can you report inappropriate behavior to?
a. The person involved
b. A non-supervisory coworker
c. Human Resources
d. My manager/supervisor
e. Management
f. Owner
g. I don’t know
h. Other (please specify)
What did you do when you were sexually harassed at work? (Check all that apply)
a. Nothing, I kept quiet
b. I confronted the harasser and told them that this was wrong
c. I told a friend and/or family member outside the organization
d. I told a colleague
e. I reported it to HR and/or a member of management
f. I left the organization
g. I reported it to the authorities
h. I did not know what my options were
i. Other (please specify) or add a comment
If you did not report sexual harassment to HR or a member of management, please indicate why. (Check all that apply)
a. I feared retaliation by my harasser
b. I felt like it would have a negative impact on my career
c. I was afraid no one would believe me
d. I did not want to relive the trauma
e. The harasser is in a position of power and may influence HR or management
f. I felt like I would be blamed
g. I didn't want to get the harasser into trouble
h. I didn't feel like HR or management would do anything about it
i. Other (please specify)
What did you do when you witnessed sexual harassment in the workplace? (Check all that apply)
a. Nothing, I kept quiet
b. I confronted the harasser and told them that this was wrong
c. I reported it to HR and/or management
d. I reported it to the authorities
e. I offered the sexually harassed person my support and escalated the situation
f. I offered the sexually harassed person my support in private but without escalating it
g. Other (please specify)
h. I have not witnessed sexual harassment in the workplace
How knowledgeable are you about how to make a report of sexual harassment or discrimination?
a. Very knowledgeable
b. Somewhat knowledgeable
c. Not familiar with the reporting procedures
How knowledgeable are you about what happens when an employee reports an incident of sexual harassment or discrimination?
a. Very knowledgeable
b. Somewhat knowledgeable
c. Not familiar with what happens next
Have you ever received training or materials that covered the legal definition of sexual harassment and discrimination?
a. Yes
b. No
c. I have received training but I do not remember what it covered
Have you ever received training or materials that covered your company’s policy on sexual harassment and discrimination?
a. Yes
b. No
c. I have received training but I do not remember what it covered
Have you ever received training or materials that covered how to report sexual harassment and discrimination?
a. Yes
b. No
c. I have received training but I do not remember what it covered
Have you ever received training or materials that covered how to intervene as a bystander to protect other employees from sexual harassment and discrimination?
a. Yes
b. No
c. I have received training but I do not remember what it covered
Do you believe there is a clear sense of appropriate and inappropriate behavior among employees at your company?
a. Yes
b. No
c. Not sure
Do you feel empowered to report inappropriate sexual conduct by a coworker at your company?
a. Yes
b. No
Do you feel empowered to report inappropriate sexual conduct by a manager/supervisor at your company?
a. Yes
b. No
Do you believe your company does a good job at preventing sexual harassment and discrimination from taking place?
a. Yes
b. No
In the past 12 months, how often did someone at work:
a. Make unwanted attempts to establish a sexual relationship with you, or engage in sexual activities with you, despite your efforts to discourage these attempts or express disinterest?
Never
Once
Once a month or less
2-3 times a month
Weekly
Daily
b. Promise or hint at enhanced career prospects in return for a sexual favor, or threatens adverse career impact if you do not respond favorably?
Never
Once
Once a month or less
2-3 times a month
Weekly
Daily
c. Threatened you with retaliation for not being sexually cooperative?
Never
Once
Once a month or less
2-3 times a month
Weekly
Daily
d. Touch you in a way that made you feel uncomfortable?
Never
Once
Once a month or less
2-3 times a month
Weekly
Daily
In the past 12 months, have you experienced any of the following behaviors? (Check all that apply)
a. Negative comments or remarks
b. Offensive jokes
c. Touching in a way that made me feel uncomfortable
d. Physical threat or assault
e. Other (please specify)
f. I have not experienced any sexually harassing behaviors
If you were subjected to any of the above mentioned behaviors, please indicate whether you believe the behavior was based on any of the characteristics listed. (Check all that apply)
a. Gender
b. Gender Identity
c. Sexual Orientation
d. Race or Ethnicity
e. Religion
f. Disability
g. Other (please specify)
h. I have not experienced any sexually harassing behaviors
How comfortable would you feel discussing a behavior or experience that made you feel uncomfortable with any of the following: The harasser, colleague, direct manager/supervisor, HR, another member of management, outside counsel (Respond to each item.)
a. Very Uncomfortable
b. Uncomfortable
c. Neither comfortable nor uncomfortable
d. Comfortable
e. Very Comfortable
I feel that managers here tolerate or turn a blind eye to inappropriate sexual conduct.
a. Strongly disagree
b. Disagree
c. Slightly disagree
d. Neither agree nor disagree, or have no opinion
e. Slightly agree
f. Agree
g. Strongly agree
I feel unsafe at work because of inappropriate sexual conduct by some individuals.
a. Strongly disagree
b. Disagree
c. Slightly disagree
d. Neither agree nor disagree, or have no opinion
e. Slightly agree
f. Agree
g. Strongly agree
I have seen career opportunities be favorably allocated on the basis of existing or expected sexual interactions.
a. Strongly disagree
b. Disagree
c. Slightly disagree
d. Neither agree nor disagree, or have no opinion
e. Slightly agree
f. Agree
g. Strongly agree
Feel free to change the language to match your organization's communication style. If you have a suggestion for us of a question that we should add to this list, please leave it in the comments section below. We love hearing about ideas that have worked for you.