1. HARASSMENT INTHE
WORKPLACE
Demetria R. Johnson, MHRM, CPP
September 2010

2. I. The law against harassment
II. Harassment in the workplace
III. Form of harassment
IV. Harassment defined
V. Reporting harassment
VI. Q&A
Training Agenda

3. It is illegal to harass an employee because of race, color, religion, sex (including
pregnancy), national origin, age, disability or genetic information
Harassment can take the form of slurs, graffiti, offensive or derogatory comments, or other
verbal or physical conduct. Sexual harassment (including unwelcome sexual advances,
requests for sexual favors, and other conduct of a sexual nature) is also unlawful. Although
the law does not prohibit simple teasing, offhand comments, or isolated incidents that are
not very serious, this type of behavior can create an offensive work environment, which can
be classified as harassment if other circumstances support the victims statement.
Harassment is illegal if it is so frequent or severe that it creates a hostile or offensive work
environment or if it results in an adverse employment decision…
~ U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
The Law

4. Takes on many forms
Jokes and derogatory comments, pictures, physical,
and/or unfavorable treatment
The Employer & Employee (harasser) are liable
Creates a hostile or offensive work environment
Creating a Culture for an Harassment Free workplace
Harassment in theWorkplace

5. Age
Disability
National Origin
Race & Color
Religion
Pregnancy
Sex
Sexual Harassment

6. Who do you believe can subject an employee to harassment?
Harassment
Any employee/
Or agent of the Company
The harasser can be the victim's supervisor, a supervisor in another area, a co-
worker, or someone who is not an employee of the employer, such as a client or
customer.

7. Is harassment limited to the workplace?
NO
Harassment outside of the workplace may also be illegal if there is a
link with the workplace. For example, if a supervisor harasses an
employee while driving the employee to a meeting
Harassment

8. Sexual Harassment
• Unwelcomed sexual advances
• Request for sexual favors
• Verbal or physical harassment of sexual
nature
• Threatening or subjecting sexual favors as
part of ones job or work assignments

9. Sex based harassment and discrimination can occur with
• Job assignments
• Promotions
• Training
• Hiring
• Lay-offs
• Or other negative employment practice
As a result of someone's sex/gender or association with a particular
sex/gender
Sex Harassment

10. As an extension to sex and sexual
harassment, Pregnancy harassment can
take place in the form of
• Jokes and comments
• Job assignments
• Training, and
• Employment
Pregnancy harassment is also considered
to be discriminatory
Pregnancy Harassment

11. Harassing a person or treating them different because of their
• Religious beliefs
• Married to someone of a certain religious belief
• Religious practice or religious dress/grooming
Is harassment and discriminatory
Harassment occurs when someone makes jokes or derogatory
comments about a person’s religious beliefs
Religion Harassment

12. Harassment in this form can occur when a person is harassed
because
• They are from another country
• Their ethnicity, or
• They appear to be from a certain ethnic background
• The appear to be from another country
National
Origin/Race/Color

13. Employees with disabilities can be
victims of harassment, if harassed as a
result of
• A Disability
• A Prior disability, or
• Is believed to have a physical or
mental impairment
Disability Harassment

14. Age related harassment includes offensive remarks about a person’s
age
• Age harassment can also be interpreted as discrimination
• This form of harassment and/or discrimination is protected by
ADEA
The federal protection covers individuals over the age of 40;
however younger employee can become victims of age harassment
and/or discrimination
Age Harassment

15. Reporting Harassment
There are a number of way to
handle/report incidents of
harassment:
• Informal process – address the
individual
• Bring the issue to your immediate
supervisor’s attention
• Formal Complaint Process – notify
Human Resources

16. If you believe you have been a victim of harassment you should:
• Immediately write down the date and time of incident, the individuals
involved and what took place.
• If you’re comfortable - talk to the individual(s) and express your
concerns regarding their behavior
• Report the incident to your immediate supervisor
• If the complaint is not resolved and harassment continues or worsens
the incident(s) must be reported to Human Resources
The formal complaint process is more extensive and may involve a broad investigation
process to include possible legal action/involvement with the parties involved
Reporting Harassment

17. Any Questions
Questions
Questions
Questions
Questions
Questions
Questions
Questions
??