Sexual Harassment

About this course

Sexual harassment is a common occurrence in the workplace. Its estimated that 50% of women and 20 % of men have experienced sexual harassment at work. Although it is a common occurrence, often, individuals are not aware of the various steps to submit a complaint, or what they should expect from their employer. This independent study provides an overview of sexual harassment as defined by Fair Employment and Housing Act and Title VII of the Federal Civil Rights act of 1964.

Learning objectives

• Define sexual harassment.
• Describe inappropriate work behaviors as it relates to the Fair Employment and Housing Act.
• Understand Title VII of The Civil Rights of 1964 and its influence on workplace discrimination.
• Review steps for reporting sexual harassment.
• Review employer responsibilities once sexual harassment has been reported.

Course outline

11 sections · finish in any order across devices

1. 1

   Introduction

   Sexual harassment is illegal and not tolerated in any workplace. Its estimated that 50% of women and 20 % of men have experienced sexual harassment at work. ² Sexual harassment can inflict serious damage on an origination’s productivity and morale and individuals named in sexual harassment complaint

   4 min

2. 2

   Fair Employment and Housing Act

   The Department of Fair Employment and Housing is responsible for enforcing state laws that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or employee. The Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) applies to public and private employers, labor organizations and employment agencies. ³ It is ill

   4 min

3. 3

   Quid Pro Quo

   Quid pro quo sexual harassment occurs when a manager or supervisor withholds, or awards job benefits based on sexual behaviors. This includes work assignments, promotions, demotions, hiring, termination, positive or negative performance reviews, or any other job-related benefit. Quid pro quo is a se

   4 min

4. 4

   Hostile Environment

   Hostile environment occurs when the conduct unreasonably interferes with an individual’s work performance or creates and intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment. Federal courts have adopted the “reasonable person standard” when addressing sexual harassment, which questions whether a

   4 min

5. 5

   Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

   Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Acts of 1964.⁴ Before Title VII of The Civil Rights of 1964 was signed into law, an employer could reject an applicant because of their sex, race, religion, or national origin. An employer could also declin

   4 min

6. 6

   The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

   The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission² has the responsibility for developing and implementing agreements, policies and practices designed to maximize effort, promote efficiency, and eliminate conflict, competition, duplication and inconsistency among the operations, functions and jurisdictions

   4 min

7. 7

   Reporting Sexual Harassment

   There are many variations to steps for reporting sexual harassment in the workplace. This list comprises the steps most needed for adequate reporting. They include¹:

   4 min

8. 8

   Employer Responsibilities

   Even though harassers are responsible for their actions, the employer is also responsible for dealing with the situation correctly. ² The employer is responsible if they knew or should have known about the sexual harassment. If the employer fails to deal with the complaint properly, the employer may

   4 min

9. 9

   Conclusion

   It is unlawful to harass a person because of that person's sex. Harassment can include sexual harassment or unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment. Harassment does not have to be of a sexual nature. It can include offensive remarks about a pers

   4 min

10. 10

    Sexual Harassment Posttest

    Federal law defines Sexual harassment as “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when this conduct explicitly or implicitly affects an individual’s employment, unreasonably interferes with an individual’s work performance, or cr

    4 min

11. 11

    Sexual Harassment Posttest Answers

    Federal law defines Sexual harassment as “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when this conduct explicitly or implicitly affects an individual’s employment, unreasonably interferes with an individual’s work performance, or cr

    4 min

This course satisfies

Requirement summaries come from our state requirement records. Always confirm details with your board before you renew.

References and resources

• Bonar, B., & Esq. (n.d.). How to report workplace sexual harassment- Step by step. Law Firm Northern Kentucky - Bonar, Bucher & Rankin, PSC. https://www.lovethelaw.com/blog/how-to-report-workplace-sexual-harassment-step-by-step
• Employment. (n.d.). DFEH | Dept. Fair Employment & Housing. https://www.dfeh.ca.gov/Employment/#:~:text=The%20Fair%20Employment%20and%20Housing%20Act%20%28FEHA%29%20applies,they%20have%20asserted%20their%20rights%20under%20the%20law
• Facts about sexual harassment. (n.d.). U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. https://www.eeoc.gov/publications/facts-about-sexual-harassment
• Sexual harassment. (n.d.). U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. https://www.eeoc.gov/sexual-harassment
• Title VII of the civil rights act of 1964. (n.d.). U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. https://www.eeoc.gov/statutes/title-vii-civil-rights-act-1964

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