What is sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment is a big topic of conversation - and many are confused about the definition of sexual harassment. Here, we give you the legal definition in easier to understand terms and provide examples to help you understand.

The Law

Sexual harassment is against state and federal law and includes unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature which threatens job security, working conditions, or advancement opportunities. Sexual harassment can be perpetrated by any gender or sexual orientation against any gender or sexual orientation.

The two major categories of sexual harassment in federal and state law include quid pro quo harassment and harassment which creates a “hostile work environment.”

Quid pro quo harassment is when a job, promotion or other professional benefit is conditioned on the individual’s submission to sexual advances or other conduct or when such benefits are denied because the individual refused to submit to sexual request(s).

A hostile work environment is created when unwelcome verbal, physical or visual conduct is severe or pervasive, and creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment or interferes with work performance. Employees may experience this kind of sexual harassment even if the offensive conduct was not directed toward them.

Examples of sexual harassment include:
  Making sexually explicit or derogatory comments or jokes, either verbally or via emai
  Inappropriate touching or groping
  Questions about sex life or relationships
  Sexually suggestive looks, leers, noises, gestures
  Pictures, cartoons, screen savers
  Forwarding sexual material via e-mail or text
  Texting sexually explicit text or images