Can one incident constitute sexual harassment?

In “quid pro quo” cases, a single sexual advance can be considered actionable sexual harassment. Quid pro quo sexual harassment occurs any time a job benefit is offered on condition of the employee’s provision of sexual favors. The harasser must be someone with the power to make employment decisions. Similarly, quid pro quo harassment can also occur if a rejection leads to a specific job-related detriment.

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Is it possible to bring a sexual harassment claim after a voluntary workplace relationship ends?

The end of a voluntary workplace love affair, especially when one party does not want the relationship to end, can sometimes lead to cases of sexual harassment.In legal terminology, this type of sexual harassment situation is known as “quid pro quo,” a phrase that literally means “this for that.” This situation typically occurs when one member of the voluntary relationship occupies a position of power relative to the other, and unfortunately decides to use that position of power to convince the other party to engage with him or her in a sexual context.

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Can my employer retaliate against me for filing a claim with the EEOC?

Your employer cannot legally retaliate against you for filing a sexual harassment or discrimination charge with the EEOC. It is unlawful for an employer to retaliate against someone who files a charge of discrimination, participates in an investigation, or opposes discriminatory practices. Individuals who believe that they have been retaliated against should contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or a lawyer immediately.

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Can “teasing” be considered sexual harassment?

Conduct, which a reasonable person would find severely hostile or abusive, given an appropriate common sense sensitivity to social context, clearly will be regarded as sexual harassment. The objective severity of harassment is judged from the perspective of a reasonable person in the complainant’s position, considering all the circumstances. Physical contact or touching is not necessary.

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