Question

Which of these items would be considered sexual harassment in the eyes of the law?

Which “type” of harassment is it:   Quid Pro Quo or Hostile Environment?  

1. A client pressures a salesperson for dates and sexual favors in exchange for a large purchase.

2. A supervisor requires that her assistant, a male, stay with her in her hotel room while they are out of town at a conference stating: “If you won’t agree to help me save expenses, I’ll find a new assistant who will.”

3. A male has asked two female co-workers to stop embarrassing him by telling jokes of a sexual nature and sharing their sexual fantasies, but they continue, telling him “you should appreciate the free advice!”

4. When she asked her co-workers to clean up their language, they no longer spoke directly to her but continued to use demeaning terms with each other, especially when referring to her within her earshot.

Answer 1

1. Quid Pro Quo

2. Quid Pro Quo

3. Hostile Environment

4. Hostile Environment

Quid Pro Quo - Quid Pro Quo harassment occurs in the workplace when a manager or other authority figure offers or merely hints that he or she will give the employee something (a raise or a promotion) in return for that employee's satisfaction of a sexual demand.

Hostile Environment - In United States labor law, a hostile work environment exists when one's behavior within a workplace creates an environment that is difficult or uncomfortable for another person to work in, due to discrimination.