All I hear about these days is sexual harassment. What is it exactly?

Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), it is sexual harassment when:

• it affects an individual’s employment.
• unreasonably interferes with an individual’s work performance.
• creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment.

Harassment can occur when the victim and the harasser are the same sex and when the victim is not the person harassed but someone affected by the offensive conduct.

Victims of sexual harassment, whether the target or a bystander, should inform the harasser directly that the conduct is unwelcome and to stop. The EEOC encourages all who witness harassment to report it. It should be reported to human resources or a supervisor immediately.

Retaliation against an individual who complains about sexual harassment is illegal. Terminating an employee for making a sexual harassment claim will lead to liability.

~Karen McKeithen Schaede

This article is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. The information contained in this article does not create an attorney-client relationship between Revolution Law PLLC and the reader.