What is Sexual Harassment?

Overview/Description
 Do you really know what "sexual harassment" is? Many employees think that it's different for different people, but the courts have clear standards for judging if specific behaviors are "over the line." Understanding exactly what constitutes "quid pro quo" and "hostile environment" harassment -- what is acceptable and what isn't -- could keep you and your organization from getting involved in a legal nightmare. "Most victims of sexual harassment 'ask for it.'" "Some are so attractive that harassers just 'can't help it.'" "You can be accused of 'sexual harassment' if you merely pay someone a compliment." Actually, commonly held beliefs like these are far from the truth. We're all human, and we don't turn into robots at the office door, so we all need to learn how to handle sexual signals at work. But surprisingly, sexual harassment is usually not about sex, at all! This course will acquaint you with the truth about sexual harassment -- what it really is, who its victims are, and what it can cost the perpetrator and the employer. Finally, you'll examine an actual court case to see if you can apply what you've learned. This SkillSoft product has been reviewed by the Employment Practice Group of Sheehan Phinney Bass + Green. As of the date reviewed, the content of this course is in compliance with federal law and court decisions.

Target Audience
 Training Managers, Human Resource Managers, Functional Managers, Frontline Staff

Expected Duration
4.0 hours

Lesson Objectives:

Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act

  • recognize the provisions of Title VII.
  • match the legal language of Title VII with everyday meanings.
  • identify quid pro quo situations from a group of negative situations.
  • identify hostile environment situations from a group of negative situations.
  • choose statements reflecting recent developments in sexual harassment law.

    • Facts vs. Myths

  • discriminate between facts and myths that pertain to sexual harassment.
  • identify factors that do not "invite" sexual attentions from others.
  • choose statements that are legitimate jokes or bantering, not sexually harassing statements.
  • identify correct statements pertaining to typical perpetrators and victims of sexual harassment.
  • choose legally correct statements concerning harassment when a consensual relationship has existed.

    • What Harassment ISN'T

  • discriminate between interactions that represent sexual harassment and those that do not.
  • identify behaviors that are legal, if not always admirable, among co-workers.
  • identify valid courting cues that are instinctive behaviors from among a group of behaviors.
  • identify behaviors that are legal, if not always admirable, in the workplace.
  • choose true statements about the reality of sexual behavior at work.

    • What Harassment IS

  • discriminate between interactions that represent sexual harassment and those that do not.
  • label described situations as to whether actually motivated by power or sexual interest.
  • identify examples of quid pro quo harassment, given a variety of situations.
  • identify examples of hostile environment harassment, given a variety of situations.

    • Research Reveals the Truth

  • recognize the benefits of current information regarding sexual harassment claims.
  • identify true statements regarding sexual harassment statistics by gender.
  • identify true statements regarding numbers of workers affected by sexual harassment.
  • label statements as true or false regarding the costs of court judgments in sexual harassment cases.

    • Course Number: HR0131