Sexual Harassment Series

Understanding the Issues

	Define sexual harassment
	Identify the causes and effects of sexual harassment in the workplace
	Identify the major legal precedents that cover sexual harassment
	Identify some appropriate responses to sexual harassment

Understanding the Law

	Identify behavior that is legally considered to be sexual conduct
	Describe the reasonableness standard
	Identify behavior that is legally considered to be severe or pervasive conduct
	Explain the criteria for behavior to be judged unwelcome conduct
	Explain how provocative dress and speech may be considered in harassment cases
	Identify conduct for which an employer is likely to be held liable
	List circumstances under which an employer is less likely to be held liable
	Describe the role of observers of sexual harassment

Assessing Problem Situations

	Describe the possible perceptions and experiences of people who have been sexually harassed
	Identify the potential problems of office romance and other voluntary behavior
	Distinguish between innocuous jokes and remarks and those that could be actionable as sexually harassing behavior

Responding Effectively

	Evaluate a situation to determine what kinds of responses are appropriate.
	Explain how a harassed employee can confront a harasser.
	Identify the kinds of legal recourse available to harassed employees.

Designing Policies and Procedures

	Evaluate a workplace to determine what kind of policy is required.
	Explain the elements of an effective sexual harassment policy.
	Explain the elements of an effective complaint procedure
	Explain the elements of a training program that effectively prevents sexual harassment.

Federal and State Law

	Explain the provisions of the Civil Rights Act that apply to sexual harassment.
	Determine whether the Civil Rights Act applies to any given organization.
	Explain the process through which harassed workers file claims with the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC).
	Describe the process through which EEOC claims are evaluated.
	Identify the general types of state laws and regulations that may affect an organization's sexual harassment policy..

Common Law Tort Actions

	Identify the tort actions most commonly connected with sexual harassment cases.
	Explain in general the circumstances under which each tort action may be filed.
	Identify the reasons that harassed workers may choose to file or to avoid filing tort actions.
	Explain the relationship between sexual harassment law and Workers' Compensation.