{"id":4762,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:41","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/smallbusiness\/employment-law-and-human-resources\/sexual-harassment-what-is-it.html"},"modified":"2024-06-06T05:44:27","modified_gmt":"2024-06-06T10:44:27","slug":"sexual-harassment-what-is-it","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/employment-law-and-human-resources\/sexual-harassment-what-is-it.html","title":{"rendered":"Workplace Sexual Harassment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Workplace Sexual Harassment<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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Editorial Note: We earn a commission from affiliate partner links on FindLaw. Commissions do not affect the editorial integrity of our legal content.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n

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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Despite more than 50 years of legislation and legal action, sexual harassment remains a serious problem in the American workplace. Six states, the District of Columbia, and two cities (New York and Chicago) require sexual harassment prevention training for private employers. Nearly all states have similar requirements for government workers.<\/p>\r\n

Most of these laws affect businesses with more than 50 employees. Workplace harassment affects everyone. The U.S.\u00a0Equal Employment Opportunity Commission<\/a>\u00a0(EEOC) recommends all employers, regardless of size or location, create a sexual harassment policy for their workplace.<\/p>\r\n

Even if your company is too small to have its own human resources department, sexual harassment training can help. When you and your employees recognize a hostile work environment early, you can prevent sexual harassment complaints.<\/p>\r\n

Defining Sexual Harassment and a Hostile Work Environment<\/h2>\r\n

The EEOC has a straightforward definition of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is a type of sex\/gender discrimination that involves:<\/p>\r\n