WHAT IS SEXUAL HARASSMENT?

Sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual advances, unusual requests for sexual favors and any verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that affects either the victim or other employees by creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment.

Sexual harassment can occur under a variety of circumstances:

• The victim or the harasser may be a man or woman.

• The victim does not have to be of the opposite sex.

• The harasser can be:

  • The victim's supervisor

  • Any other employee (whether management or coworker)

  • May also be a non-employee

• The victim does not have to be the person being harassed but someone affected by the offensive conduct.

• Unlawful sexual harassment may occur without economic injury to or discharge of the victim.

• The harasser's conduct must be unwelcome.

The best way to deal with sexual harassment is to never have an incident, prevention is the key to solving the problem. Employees should be encouraged to take annual training classes and be aware of sexual harassment issues in the workplace.