Workplace Harassment

Twenty years after Anita Hill testified before Congress, sexual harassment is still with us. In 2010, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) accepted more than 11,000 charges of sexual harassment, and almost 31,000 charges of harassment of all types (for example, racial harassment or harassment based on disability).  

Harassment is defined as offensive, unwelcome conduct, based on the victim's protected characteristic (such as sex or religion), that is so severe or pervasive that it affects the terms and conditions of employment. This might take the form of "quid pro quo" harassment, in which the victim's job opportunities are conditioned on putting up with the harassment. ("If you want that raise, you'll agree to go out with me.") Or, it might take the form of hostile environment harassment, in which the workplace is poisoned by biased comments, lewd behavior, and other inappropriate behavior.

The articles in this section explain what harassment is and what you can do about it. It explains the rules for holding an employer liable for harassment, the remedies available to employees who win a harassment case, and more.