NCJ Number
164425
Date Published
1995
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This paper presents a definition of sexual harassment and how it should be applied in specific incidents.
Abstract
The most widely used, common-sense definition of sexual harassment is "deliberate and/or repeated sexual or sex-based behavior that is not welcome, not asked for, and not returned." The less severe the behavior, the more times it must be repeated before it is considered sexual harassment. The more severe the behavior, the fewer times it must be repeated before it is considered sexual harassment. The less severe the behavior, the more responsibility the receiver has to speak up and make it known that it is offensive or unwelcome. The more severe the behavior, the less responsibility the receiver has to speak up, and the more responsibility the perpetrator of the behavior has to know better than to engage in that behavior in the first place. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Guidelines state that unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical actions of a sexual nature become illegal when connected to a manager's or supervisor's decision regarding hiring, firing, pay, promotion, job assignment, or other aspect of employment, or when such sexual behavior interferes with an employee's ability to perform work or creates a hostile, offensive work environment.