Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is a form of unlawful sex discrimination. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) defines sexual harassment: "Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when (1) submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment, (2) submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as a basis for employment decisions affecting such individual, or (3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment." Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits sex discrimination (as well as race discrimination) in the work place. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination by educational institutions which receive Federal funds. The Federal courts, the EEOC and the Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Education are all in agreement and have ruled that sexual harassment is a form of unlawful sex discrimination under Title VII and Title IX. Title VII prohibitions of sexual harassment apply equally to same sex harassment. In some instances, sexual harassment can constitute a criminal offense under state law.