Sexual Harassment Sexual Harassment Where do I draw

Sexual Harassment

Sexual Harassment • Where do I draw the line? • Mistakes are costly! • Astra Pharmaceutical: $9. 85 million ©SHRM 2008

Who Are the Victims? • 12, 025 sexual harassment charges filed with the EEOC in 2006. • 85 percent of charges are filed by women. • 15 percent of charges are filed by men. ©SHRM 2008

Sexual Harassment • Discrimination based on gender. • Illegal under the Civil Rights Act. • Enforced by the EEOC. ©SHRM 2008

EEOC Definition • Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that occur under any of the following conditions: ©SHRM 2008

EEOC Definition • Quid Pro Quo: > When submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of employment. > When submission, to or rejection of, such contact by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting that individual. ©SHRM 2008

EEOC Definition • Hostile Environment: > When such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment. ©SHRM 2008

Identifying Hostile Environment • A pattern of offensive behavior. • Conduct must be sufficiently severe or pervasive. • Unreasonably interferes with work performance. ©SHRM 2008

HR Issues in Sexual Harassment • • Liability risk for the organization. Reporting procedures. Discipline policies. Training for staff and managers. ©SHRM 2008