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 falls into two categories: Quid Pro Quo and Hostile Sexual Environment. This article discusses the hostile environment.
IN Hostile environment It occurs when unwanted sexual 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, whether at work or at company-sponsored events.
The behavior must be unpleasant and, in most cases, repeated.
Types of bullying include:
- sexually explicit jokes, pin-ups, gold graffiti
- vulgar phrases and sounds
- abusive language
- indirect sexual comments
- about sexual conduct
It is important to note that with this type of bullying, it does not matter whether the behavior was intended to harass or to flatter. Bullying is always defined by the victim. If the victim finds the behavior unwelcome, regardless of intent, then it is bullying.
Courts have held employers liable in cases involving supervisors, other employees, and/or customers or vendors.
short 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 of manufactures condoms, of subjecting a class of employees to a hostile work environment in which they have been the subject of numerous caricatures and racially and sexually derogatory comments since 1995.
Awards: $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 bullying and discrimination prevention and awareness.
