What identifies as harassment?

Harassment is unwelcome conduct that is based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, or pregnancy), national origin, older age (beginning at age 40), disability, or genetic information (including family medical history).

What is discrimination and harassment?

“Discrimination” means being treated differently or unfairly. Harassment is illegal if it is based on a personal characteristic or status protected under anti-discrimination laws. To be illegal, the harassment must be so “severe or pervasive” that it interferes with the employee’s ability to perform the job.

What are examples of personal harassment?

It may take the form of repeated hostile or unwanted conduct, physical assault, verbal or written comments, or abuse of authority, actions or gestures (including bullying) that affect an Employee’s dignity, or psychological or physical integrity, and which results in a harmful work environment for the Employee.

Is personal harassment illegal?

Harassment is illegal only if it is based on some protected characteristic of the employee, such as his or her age, race, national origin, sex, religion or disability. Finally, the harassing behavior must be offensive to the reasonable person and to the employee.

What are the different types of harassment in the workplace?

Even though it’s the type of harassment that is most often reported, harassment in the workplace and hiring isn’t limited to sexual harassment. Other actions regarding religion, race, age, gender, or skin color, for example, can also be considered harassment if they interfere with an employee’s success or conjure a hostile work environment .

Does it matter who makes the offense of sexual harassment?

It doesn’t matter who makes the offense. It could be a manager, co-worker, or even a non-employee like a client, contractor, or vendor. If the person’s conduct creates a hostile work environment or interrupts an employee’s success, it is considered unlawful sexual harassment.

What is non-sexual harassment in the workplace?

Non-sexual harassment isn’t limited to these examples. Non-sexual harassment includes any comment, action, or type of behavior that is threatening, insulting, intimidating, or discriminatory and upsets the workplace environment. Here’s more information on how to respond if you are the victim of workplace harassment.

What is the difference between sexual harassment and hostile work environment?

If the person’s conduct creates a hostile work environment, makes it difficult for an employee to work, or interrupts an employee’s success, it is considered unlawful harassment. 2  Sexual harassment isn’t limited to making inappropriate advances. It includes any unwelcome verbal or physical behavior that creates a hostile work environment.