Managers: Laws and Rules
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is unlawful conduct, it is a form of discrimination, and it is prohibited by federal and state law.
Sexual harassment includes any unwelcome sexual conduct that either:
- is made a term or condition of employment;
- has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work performance; or
- creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment.
The employer is responsible for the acts of the agency's supervisory employees if the employer knew or should have known of the existence of harassment.
Recommendations:
Agency administrators should thoroughly and promptly investigate every complaint of harassment - and take appropriate action.
Agencies should allow complaints of harassment to be made to an agency official other than the employee's supervisor.
Employees should report every instance of harassment.
Agencies should provide sexual harassment training to all staff.
