Workplace 'NG Sexual Harassment Questions' Ranking 2026! The Reality of 'Romance Questions' Deemed Uncomfortable
First Innovation released its 2026 ranking of workplace questions considered sexual harassment. 'Romance/marriage questions' ranked #1, showing standard small talk is high-risk.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 02:27
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 01:00
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 22, 2026 at 04:35 (507h 34m after Collected)
First Innovation Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President: Yuji Kinone; hereinafter 'First Innovation') has announced the '2026 Ranking of Questions Considered Sexual Harassment', based on the results of a 'Workplace NG Questions Boundary' survey targeting X (formerly Twitter) users on its operated media 'SES Plus'.
In recent years, as social interest in harassment has grown, an increasing number of people are voicing concerns like, 'I don't know where the line for sexual harassment is drawn'. Particularly in workplace communication, cases where intended 'casual small talk' ends up causing discomfort to the other party are not uncommon.
Therefore, 'SES Plus', operated by First Innovation, conducted a survey on whether questions from opposite-sex bosses are 'perceived as sexual harassment'. Based on data obtained through multiple-choice responses, this survey compiles the questions that many people found particularly uncomfortable into a ranking format.
■ Survey Overview
Survey Theme: What questions do you consider sexual harassment?
Survey Method: Questionnaire via X (formerly Twitter)
Survey Period: March 20-23, 2026
Valid Responses: 280 people
Respondent Demographics: Teens to over 60s / Male and Female
## ■ Experience of Sexual Harassment: 'Sometimes' is the Most Common (Approx. 40%)
1st: Sometimes: 42.9%
2nd: Never: 28.6%
3rd: Rarely: 16.4%
4th: Often: 12.1%
About half (55%) responded with 'often' or 'sometimes', revealing the reality that sexual harassment exists on a daily basis.
## ■ 'Questions Considered Sexual Harassment' Ranking
*Multiple answers allowed
**1st Place: Questions about Romance and Marriage**
(Examples: Do you have a boyfriend? / Why aren't you married? / No kids yet?)
Questions concerning romance and marriage gathered the most responses. This shows that the 'standard small talk' is the highest-risk topic.
**2nd Place: Questions with Sexual Nuances**
(Examples: How far have you gone? / What do you do at night?)
Questions containing sexual nuances were also deemed uncomfortable. Even when intended as a joke, they tend to be clearly recognized as sexual harassment.
**3rd Place: Prying into Private Life**
(Examples: What did you do on your day off? / Where do you live?)
We found that even seemingly everyday conversations can lead to strong discomfort depending on the relationship with the person.
**4th Place: Comments on Appearance or Body**
(Examples: You have a great figure / You're cute)
Even when intended as compliments, some people perceive them as sexual harassment.
**5th Place: Invitations to be Alone**
(Examples: Let's go out for a drink (just the two of us))
More than half responded that this is uncomfortable, indicating that caution is also required when building relationships outside of work duties.
## ■ Criteria for Feeling Sexually Harassed
The main criteria cited by respondents are as follows:
- Stepping too far into private life
- Contains sexual nuances
- Persistent / Asked repeatedly
- Abusing one's position (boss)
- Unable to refuse due to the atmosphere
In recent years, as social interest in harassment has grown, an increasing number of people are voicing concerns like, 'I don't know where the line for sexual harassment is drawn'. Particularly in workplace communication, cases where intended 'casual small talk' ends up causing discomfort to the other party are not uncommon.
Therefore, 'SES Plus', operated by First Innovation, conducted a survey on whether questions from opposite-sex bosses are 'perceived as sexual harassment'. Based on data obtained through multiple-choice responses, this survey compiles the questions that many people found particularly uncomfortable into a ranking format.
■ Survey Overview
Survey Theme: What questions do you consider sexual harassment?
Survey Method: Questionnaire via X (formerly Twitter)
Survey Period: March 20-23, 2026
Valid Responses: 280 people
Respondent Demographics: Teens to over 60s / Male and Female
## ■ Experience of Sexual Harassment: 'Sometimes' is the Most Common (Approx. 40%)
1st: Sometimes: 42.9%
2nd: Never: 28.6%
3rd: Rarely: 16.4%
4th: Often: 12.1%
About half (55%) responded with 'often' or 'sometimes', revealing the reality that sexual harassment exists on a daily basis.
## ■ 'Questions Considered Sexual Harassment' Ranking
*Multiple answers allowed
**1st Place: Questions about Romance and Marriage**
(Examples: Do you have a boyfriend? / Why aren't you married? / No kids yet?)
Questions concerning romance and marriage gathered the most responses. This shows that the 'standard small talk' is the highest-risk topic.
**2nd Place: Questions with Sexual Nuances**
(Examples: How far have you gone? / What do you do at night?)
Questions containing sexual nuances were also deemed uncomfortable. Even when intended as a joke, they tend to be clearly recognized as sexual harassment.
**3rd Place: Prying into Private Life**
(Examples: What did you do on your day off? / Where do you live?)
We found that even seemingly everyday conversations can lead to strong discomfort depending on the relationship with the person.
**4th Place: Comments on Appearance or Body**
(Examples: You have a great figure / You're cute)
Even when intended as compliments, some people perceive them as sexual harassment.
**5th Place: Invitations to be Alone**
(Examples: Let's go out for a drink (just the two of us))
More than half responded that this is uncomfortable, indicating that caution is also required when building relationships outside of work duties.
## ■ Criteria for Feeling Sexually Harassed
The main criteria cited by respondents are as follows:
- Stepping too far into private life
- Contains sexual nuances
- Persistent / Asked repeatedly
- Abusing one's position (boss)
- Unable to refuse due to the atmosphere