NCJ Number
150046
Date Published
1993
Length
230 pages
Annotation
This book describes the evolution of sexual harassment as a social issue and specifically focuses on sexual harassment in the workplace.
Abstract
Following introductory chapter describing the emergence of public attention paid to this issue between 1964 and 1980, the authors review several U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board studies as well as outcomes of U.S. Supreme Court ruling and Congressional hearings regarding the incidence, prevalence, and prevention of workplace sexual harassment. Several subsequent chapters cover various stages in the process of pursuing claims of sexual harassment: evaluating the claim, litigating a case, determining liability as defined by Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and weighing the evidence as held up to the "reasonable person" standard and the "reasonable woman" standard. Acts that may be defined as sexual harassment include sexual teasing, jokes, gifts, remarks, or questions; letters, calls, and pressure for dates or sexual favors; and deliberate touching, assault, and actual or attempted rape. This book outlines steps that employers are required to take vis-a-vis prevention, investigation, and remediation. The final two chapters deal with theory of liability under common law and false accusations. 271 references and 2 appendixes