Sexual harassment can include unwelcome verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that creates a hostile work environment or involves quid pro quo situations. It was made illegal by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and EEOC and recognized by the Supreme Court in 1986 as creating psychological impacts for victims like stress and PTSD. Companies have implemented policies against it with training and procedures to file complaints while investigating and preventing retaliation. The military has also responded by designating coordinators and all-call training to curb its negative effects on productivity, morale and equality. Current issues include lack of reporting and perceptions of what constitutes harassment or flirting versus harassment.

1. Sexual Harassment
Greg Zerbey
Steven Torres

2. What is Sexual Harassment?
• Verbal Sexual Conduct
• Unwelcome Sexual Advances
• Requests for Sexual Favors
– Quid Pro Quo “An Act for an Act”
• Hostile Environment

3. History of Sexual Harassment
• Women Entering the Workforce (Most
prevalent in mostly-male workplace)
• Civil Rights Act of 1964 Title VII
– Race, color, religion, sex and national origin
• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
(EEOC) 1965
• Supreme Court Meritor Savings Bank, FSB v.
Vinson 1986

4. Impact on Victim
• Psychological Impacts
– Stress, Depression, PTSD
• Retaliation in the Workplace
– Firing, Suspension, Demotion
• Other Effects
– Stunted Career and Income
– Forced Reassignment
– Constructive Discharge

5. What is the Effect on Business
•Lower productivity, increased
absenteeism and turnover
•Pay for lawsuits, damages, and
settlements
•Reduces available workforce

6. Business Response
• Clear Sexual
Harassment policy
– No tolerance
– Disciplinary Action
– Filing Complaints
– Full Investigation
– No retaliation
• Prevention Training for
employees and
supervisors

7. Sexual Harassment in the Military
• Creates inequality in
workplace
• Lowers productivity
• Lowers Morale

8. Military Response
• Sexual Assault Response Coordinator
– SARC
• Sexual Assault Prevention & Response
– SAPR
• All Call SAPR Training down days

9. Sexual Harassment Outside of
Workplace
• Workplace events
• Business trips
• Social Media

10. Current Issues
• Lack of reporting
• Male vs. Female perception of Sexual
Harassment
• Flirting vs. Sexual Harassment
• Workplace romance

11. Workplace Romance and
Flirting
•Imbalance of Power/Favoritism/Conflict of
Interest
•Prohibit relationships vs. Managing Them
•Welcoming/Reciprocal vs.
Unwelcome/Invasive, how the recipient feels
is important

12. Remedies for Sexual Harassment
• Be sensitive to others’
responses, cultures and
experiences
• Don’t assume it’s harmless
• Consider/Examine behavior
• Give protection and support
to victims, don’t assume they
will speak out

13. Sexual Harassment Tips
• Be professional
• Be considerate
• Treat everyone with respect

14. Questions?