Which element characterizes sexual harassment in the workplace?

Which element characterizes sexual harassment in the workplace?

• A. Criticizing a coworker’s performance in private.
• B. Unwelcome sexual advances or conduct that affects employment, interferes with work performance, or creates a hostile environment.
• C. Wearing provocative clothing.
• D. Parking in a reserved spot.

Answer: (B)

Sexual harassment occurs when someone’s sexual behavior is unwelcome and it affects the terms or conditions of employment or the work environment. The defining element is that the conduct is not requested and it has a real impact on work—such as interfering with performance, affecting pay or promotion decisions, or creating a hostile or intimidating atmosphere. This captures both quid pro quo situations (favor for sexual favors) and hostile environment scenarios, which is why it’s described as unwelcome sexual advances or conduct that affects employment or the work setting. The other scenarios don’t fit the definition of harassment as a workplace term: private criticism about performance isn’t inherently sexual; wearing provocative clothing is about dress codes or inappropriate attention but not harassment by itself; parking in a reserved spot is unrelated to sexual behavior in the workplace.

Sexual harassment occurs when someone’s sexual behavior is unwelcome and it affects the terms or conditions of employment or the work environment. The defining element is that the conduct is not requested and it has a real impact on work—such as interfering with performance, affecting pay or promotion decisions, or creating a hostile or intimidating atmosphere. This captures both quid pro quo situations (favor for sexual favors) and hostile environment scenarios, which is why it’s described as unwelcome sexual advances or conduct that affects employment or the work setting.

The other scenarios don’t fit the definition of harassment as a workplace term: private criticism about performance isn’t inherently sexual; wearing provocative clothing is about dress codes or inappropriate attention but not harassment by itself; parking in a reserved spot is unrelated to sexual behavior in the workplace.