Sexual harassment in the workplace is illegal under the provisions of the Civil Rights Act that prohibit discrimination based on sex, as well as state and local laws. It is broadly defined as unwelcome sexual advances or conduct, where the employee's response affects his or her employment. An employee's job may be explicitly or implicitly threatened, or the individual may simply be forced to work in a hostile or intimidating environment. Victims can be of either gender and do not have to be the opposite gender of the harasser, who can be a co-worker or non-employee as well as a supervisor. In some circumstances, a victim can be a person who is not the target of harassment, but is affected by the environment it creates.
Sexual Harassment In the Workplace Has Legal Ramifications
Sexual harassment in the workplace has been the topic of many high-profile court cases in recent years, although the significant majority of cases are not reported in the press. According to the EEOC, sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that violates the Civil Rights Act. Some of the actions that constitute sexual harassment include: repeated sexual innuendo, obscene or off-color jokes, slurs, lewd remarks and language; content in letters and notes, faxes, e-mail and graffiti that is of a sexual nature or sexually abusive; sexual propositions, insults and threats; sexually-oriented demeaning names; persistent unwanted sexual or romantic overtures or attention; leering, whistling or other sexually suggestive sounds or gestures; displaying pornographic pictures, calendars, cartoons or other sexual material in the workplace; coerced or unwelcome touching, patting, brushing up against, pinching, kissing, stroking, massaging, squeezing, fondling or tickling; subtle or overt pressure for sexual favors and of course coerced sexual intercourse.
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Employers' Responsibility for Supervisors' Sexual Harassment
All employers are always responsible for harassment by a supervisor that culminates in tangible employment actions. If the harassment did not lead to a tangible employment action, the employer is still liable unless it proves that reasonable care was exercised to prevent and promptly correct any harassment and that the employee unreasonably failed to complain to management. The policy should include guidelines that effectively prevent and correct harassment.
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Sexual Harassment Jury Verdicts
______ VERDICT Wrongful termination - Homosexual female plaintiff asserts claims of discrimination against former employer on bases of sex and sexual orientation - Lost wages - Emotional distress.
______ VERDICT - WRONGFUL TERMINATION - HOMOSEXUAL FEMALE PLAINTIFF ASSERTS STATE CLAIMS OF DISCRIMINATION ON BASIS OF SEX AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION AGAINST FORMER EMPLOYER - LOST WAGES - EMOTIONAL DISTRESS.
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Sexual Harassment News Articles
Victims claim long-term harassment - White Mountain Independent: News Premium
Taking a stand against sexual harassment : The Kentucky Kernel
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Sexual Harassment Newsfeeds
Bihar legislator murder: Court grants bail to editor
UR fraternity runs afoul of school code
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Sexual Harassment Useful Web Sites
Anapol Schwartz, Sexual Harassment Attorneys
Anapol Schwartz - Pennsylvania Sexual Harassment Lawyers
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Sexual Harassment Wikipedia
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