Does Sexual Harassment Require Touching?
Full Question:
Answer:
Sexual harassment is a form of sexual discrimination forbidden by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Sexual harassment involves unwanted sexual advances, touching, requests for dates or sex, frequent comments, or other behavior that creates an atmosphere riddled with demeaning, insulting or pornographic references to sex or gender.
If a supervisor ties an employee’s job or job progression to sexual favors, company is liable for the harassment. For example, a supervisor may state or imply that one’s job is at stake if she does not meet his demands for sexual attention. Co-worker harassment is different, since co-workers do not have direct control over each others employment. A co-worker creates a hostile work environment by asking for sexual favors, making unwanted sexual advances or treating an employee like a sexual object. In such case company is liable for the co-worker’s conduct only if it permits, encourages, or causes the atmosphere in which the sexual content becomes intolerable to a reasonable employee.
The harassed employee should make a complaint in writing against the harasser. If the harasser is a co worker complaint should be given to the supervisor. If the harasser is the supervisor complaint should be given to the personnel department, the harasser’s supervisor, or even members of a board of directors.
