Hostile Environment

Federal law is broken into two categories: Quid Pro Quo and Hostile Environment.

A Hostile Environment occurs when unwelcome s.exual conduct ruins an employee's work environment.

When this occurs the behavior or its effect unreasonably interferes with work performance and/or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment either at work or at company-sponsored events.

The behavior must be unwelcome and in most cases repeated.

Types of harassment includes:

• sexually explicit jokes, pinups, or graffiti
• vulgar statements and sounds
• abusive language
• indirect sexual comments
• overt sexual conduct

It is important to note that with this type of harassment, it doesn't matter whether the behavior was intended to be harassing or flattering. The harassment is always defined by the victim. If the victim finds the behavior unwelcome, regardless of the intent, then it is harassment.

The courts have held employers liable in cases that involved supervisors, other employees, and/or customers or vendors.

Next: Sexual Favoritism