Workplace harassment does not always happen in conference rooms or offices. Today, it often shows up on phones and screens. Late night texts. Unwanted DMs. Messages that cross a line but are sent quietly, outside formal work channels. If a coworker or supervisor is sending you inappropriate digital messages, you may be wondering whether that behavior actually counts as workplace sexual harassment.
Under New York law, it often does.
What Qualifies as Sexual Harassment Under New York Law?
Sexual harassment includes unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that affects your work environment or employment conditions. This can involve behavior that is explicit, suggestive, or persistent enough to interfere with your ability to do your job or feel safe at work. Examples include:
- Sexual jokes, comments, or remarks
- Unwanted romantic or sexual advances
- Sharing explicit photos, videos, or messages
The law focuses on impact, not the format. The conduct does not have to happen face to face to be illegal.
Do Text Messages, DMs, and Emails Count as Sexual Harassmnet?
Yes. In New York, harassment can occur through text messages, direct messages, emails, and other digital platforms. If the messages are connected to work and create an intimidating, offensive, or abusive environment, they may qualify as workplace sexual harassment.
This is especially true when the messages come from a supervisor, manager, or anyone with influence over your job, schedule, or advancement.
Signs That Digital Messages at Work May Be Harassment
If you are unsure whether what you are experiencing crosses a legal line, consider the following:
- The messages are sexual or suggestive in nature
- You did not invite or welcome the communication
- The behavior continues after you make your discomfort clear
- The messages affect how you feel at work or your ability to do your job
Even if the messages are sent after hours or on personal devices, they may still be considered workplace conduct.
Your Rights as a New York Employee
New York has broad protections against sexual harassment, including conduct that occurs digitally. Employers are required to take complaints seriously and respond appropriately, regardless of whether the behavior happens in person or through electronic communication.
New York law does not require harassment to be severe or pervasive in the same way federal law does. Repeated or tolerated behavior may be enough to support a claim.
Steps to Take If You Are Being Harassed Online at Work
If you are receiving inappropriate texts or messages, taking early steps can protect you.
- Save all messages, including screenshots and metadata when possible
- Avoid deleting communications, even if they are upsetting
- Report the behavior through appropriate internal channels when it feels safe to do so
- Speak with a New York sexual harassment lawyer before or after reporting to understand your options
Digital evidence can be powerful, but how it is preserved and presented matters.
How Mizrahi Kroub LLP Approaches These Cases
Mizrahi Kroub LLP represents employees across New York who are dealing with sexual harassment in modern workplaces. Our NYC employment attorneys regularly handle cases involving texts, DMs, emails, and other electronic communications, and we understand how employers, HR departments, and internal investigators assess this type of evidence. As a plaintiff-side employment law firm, we focus on:
- Evaluating whether digital conduct violates New York law
- Advising on safe reporting strategies
- Preserving electronic evidence
- Holding employers accountable when harassment is ignored or minimized
We approach these matters with discretion, clarity, and a strong understanding of how workplace power dynamics affect digital misconduct.
Take Action Before Digital Evidence Disappears, Contact Mizrahi Kroub Today
Digital harassment cases move quickly. Messages can be deleted, accounts can disappear, and employers often act fast once an issue surfaces. Waiting too long can make it harder to preserve evidence and protect your position.
Mizrahi Kroub LLP is built to handle these moments. Our attorneys bring decades of combined experience representing employees in high-stakes workplace disputes. We have handled thousands of employment cases and recovered substantial results for individuals facing employers that hoped issues like this would stay quiet.
Early legal guidance can help you secure digital evidence, decide how and when to report, and protect yourself from retaliation before the narrative shifts against you.
If you are receiving inappropriate texts or DMs at work, contact Mizrahi Kroub LLP as soon as possible. The sooner you speak with a New York sexual harassment lawyer, the more control you retain over your rights, your career, and what happens next.
