They are both horrible! I wouldn't quit, I woudl egt that person FIRED!

i think that they are equally as bad as each other. it's hard cause there are any numbre of reasons that can make work uncomfortable and being bullied is on the same level i think as harrassment, especially since they are both somewhat malicious in intent...

Bullying made me quit my last job, and sexual harassment was a factor in the one before. I think they are equal, but I think its easier to deal with sexual harassment with a boss because its law suit territory. Bullying can't be proven, or they just tell you not to take it personal.

I think they're both equally terrible, but I probably would not quit the job if it's good enough.

I think they are equally terrible - and likely overlap. Sexual harassment is a problem when it is used as a bullying tool, trying to edge out people and use any means necessary.

Either is unacceptable. If it were me in either situation, I'd respond to that person than tell my boss.

OMG I am dealing with this situation right now! My Manager has a serious anger management problem, in additional to punching walls and thowing pens and slamming phones; he likes to embarass you in front of other people and is rude. On top of that he makes harrassing comments by preceeding his comment with "I could probably get into trouble w/ HR for saying this but...." as if it makes it ok. The other day he made a comment about my shoes not matching the color of my shirt to a "T" and suggested I take it off so we could compare the two. Finally I wrote a letter to my HR department and a nasty lady from our Legal consult dept questioned me in a way that she not only defended him, but implied that perhaps I was imagining all of this and taking things out of context. This was two weeks ago, and I've heard nothing. This week I started sending out my resume to look for another job. Not only because I don't want to work under this man anymore, but I don't want to work for a company who doesn't back their employees and take their concerns seriously. This whole situation put a bad taste in my mouth. It's unfortunate too. I'm half thinking that before I resign, reporting the incident to the EEOC as well, just to prove a point.

bullying is way worse in my opinion. Its harder to prove if its been going on for so long, and the bullying can be very "hidden" in workplace activities.

I think they're equally horrible. I really don't know how I would react under those situations...

I hate bullies more!!!!

I haven't faced sexual harassment, but I was bullied at my last job. After trying numerous times to make my situation better, I had to get out. It was affecting my self-esteem and emotional/physical well-being. Words cannot describe what an awful experience it was.

I could relate to the constant critiquing and being reminded of my previous mistakes at my first job. It was very distracting and it often adversely affected my work performance, but I never thought of it as bullying. I just thought that my employers were jerks for not letting me breathe and work more efficiently.

I said other. I'm lucky that I haven't had to deal with either. However, I think that I would feel worse with sexual harrassment. Bullying tends to make me angry, and inappropriate sexual advances tend to make me feel like an object.

both are horrible. bullies work together, where as i would think the sexual harassment would be a 1:1 thing. i've been sexually harassed and it was, more than anything, gross and offensive. i left and got a severance package and didn't work for a year (by choice) and got over it. but my weirdo was not as aggressive as i know some are, and i was free to leave the job because of the financial situation.

I don't understand the point of this study. It is mostly women who get sexually harassed and it seems to me as if they were saying, well that is not THAT bad bullying is worse. Isn't sexual harassment a form of bullying?

Ugggh, my boss is the biggest bully and I agree it is every bit as bad as sexual harassment because it makes you feel about this big! He is a total chauvinist who sneers at people's heartfelt work and shames them in front of everyone. If you don't agree with him, he will just make fun of you until you are so embarrassed you agree. A lot of times his judgement is correct, but that doesn't mean he has to use such brutal teaching methods. I work in an ad agency, not the freaking army! And he always makes fun of people behind their back to other co-workers! So awful! I am so glad this problem is being acknowledged and I hope serious action is being taken against it.

Both are equally bad, but with sexual harassment... I don't feel as helpless as I do with bullying. Right now, I'm being bullied in my office by my boss & her lackeys. There's a precedent with what to do about sexual harassment - you can sue or threaten to sue and they'll usually back off. I think I would eventually leave because I'm sure the office environment would never be as comfortable again.

But what can you do about your boss beating you down? Every single advice I've ever read about this situation says that you can't really do anything but just move on.

reinphall-I would suggest talking to the nasty lady from your legal consult department and asking what is going on in regards to your complaint about your boss and demand to know what is being done about his grossly innapropriate behavior (and get it in writing). Take off your shirt to compare it to your shoes?? That is just disgusting. And if they are implying that you have taken it out of context...its not WHAT the person says, its IF it makes you feel sexually harassed. Joking or not, his comment was innapropriate and he should be reprimanded! Make sure you can keep copies of your report to the HR department and any requests to the legal consult dept asking what is happening regarding your complaint, so you will have something to send to the EEOC if you decide to report it to them as well.

I was sexually harassed at my first 'real' job by a co-worker who was apparently harassing other girls working there too. I was the only one that reported it, however, and it resulted in him getting transfered. The other girls were so glad I did something about it! You should never keep quiet about any kind of harassment, you may not be the only one suffering!