The Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it illegal to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, and sex.
Federal sexual harassment law is divided into two categories: Quid Pro Quo and Sexually Hostile Environment. This article looks at the harsh environment.
TO Hostile environment It occurs when unwanted sexual behavior ruins an employee’s work environment.
When this occurs, the behavior or its effect unreasonably interferes with job performance and / or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment, whether at work or at company-sponsored events.
The behavior must be inopportune and, in most cases, repeated.
Types of bullying include:
- sexually explicit jokes, pin-ups, or graffiti
- vulgar statements and sounds
- abusive language
- indirect sexual comments
- overt sexual behavior
It is important to note that with this type of bullying, it does not matter if the behavior was intended to be bullying or flattering. Harassment is always defined by the victim. If the victim finds that the behavior is unwelcome, regardless of the intention, then it is harassment.
Courts have held employers liable in cases involving supervisors, other employees, and / or customers or suppliers.
Court case
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a settlement with London International Group, LLC (LIG) in a lawsuit accusing the Eufaula-based plant, which makes condoms, of subjecting to a class of employees to a hostile work environment in which they have been the subject of numerous racially and sexually derogatory cartoons and comments since 1995.
Grant: $ 625,000 in money damages
For more information on other types of sexual harassmentRead about sexual favoritism or sexual harassment by non-employees.
Protect your business from this type of harassment. Make sure your employees are well trained in harassment and discrimination prevention and awareness.
