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e-Li: Electronic Library

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination prohibited under Title VII. According to the EEOC, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when this conduct explicitly or implicitly affects an individual’s employment, unreasonably interferes with an individual’s work performance, or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment. Sexual harassment can occur in a variety of circumstances. The victim does not have to be of the opposite sex. The victim does not have to be the person harassed but can be anyone who is affected by the offensive conduct. The harasser can be the victim’s supervisor, an agent of the employer, a supervisor in another area, a co-worker or a non-employee.