Hostile Work Environment Harassment

Overview/Description
 Understanding and proving hostile environment harassment is more difficult than understanding and proving quid pro quo. Discover which commonly held beliefs about this type of sexual harassment are off-base and which are right on the money. Can people get into trouble just by talking? Can one incident constitute harassment? And is a dirty joke always grounds for a lawsuit? Learn why your parents probably didn't worry about sexual harassment. The workplace of today is a far different spot than it was even a few years ago. With so many more women working, particularly in traditionally male-only bastions, there are simply more opportunities for sexual issues to arise. You'll learn how each gender typically views sexual advances and why courts often apply the "reasonable person" standard to ambiguous circumstances. Charges of harassment are not made solely by women, against men. You'll see how the law applies equally to harassment cases, regardless of the gender of the harasser or the victim. Also, you'll gain some valuable insights into why gay and straight individuals may have different takes on the same situation. Finally, take a close look at several real court cases of alleged hostile environment and see if you can tell which were found to be true and which, groundless. 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
2.0 hours

Lesson Objectives:

Separating Fact from Fiction

  • discriminate between facts and myths that pertain to hostile work environments.
  • label hypothetical verbal remarks as probably harassing or probably not harassing.
  • choose statements that are accurate concerning single-incident cases.
  • choose statements that are accurate concerning humor and sexual harassment.
  • choose legally correct statements concerning harassment by people who are not employed by the organization.

    • Women, Women Everywhere

  • recognize important ways that the workplace has changed in recent years and how men and women can work together with less friction.
  • choose true statements about women in traditionally male workplaces.
  • identify points of view that are typically male and typically female.
  • identify statements that accurately reflect the court's use of the "reasonable person" standard.

    • Perspectives on Same-sex Harassment

  • recognize that men can also be victims of sexual harassment, either by women or by other men.
  • choose statements that are accurate concerning sexual harassment by members of the same gender.
  • identify examples of actions motivated by power rather than attraction.
  • identify examples of quid pro quo and hostile environment harassment, given a variety of same-sex situations.
  • select statements that are accurate concerning the differences and similarities of straight and gay people's experiences with sexual harassment.

    • You Be the Judge

  • recognize and value evolving standards regarding sexual harassment which are derived from recent court cases.
  • determine if a type of behavior is considered sexual harassment under Title VII.
  • identify the results of the U.S. Navy's investigation of the Tailhook scandal.
  • identify factors which influenced the Supreme Court verdict in Faragher vs. Boca Raton.

    • Course Number: HR0133