Definition of sexual harassment
Q. So Mark's original examples (women getting away with things byflirting with the boss, and something else I've forgotten?),
might create what men perceive to be a hostile environment, but
since the cause *isnt* the "unwanted sexual advances", it still
*isnt* sexual harassment?
A. As a business owner I have had considerable advice by lawyers regarding
sexual harassment in the workplace.
Part of the reason it is difficult
to determine when sexual harassment has taken place is because it
differs from person to person.
Although there may be court cases that are the exception to the rule,
generally, sexual harassment requires some form of prior complaint or
warning by the accuser. Asking another employee out on a date is
not sexual harassment unless that employee has already made it quite
clear that he/she is not interested. Telling dirty jokes can be
considered sexual harassment *after* somebody complains about it.
Open expression of one's sexuality can be nothing more than an attempt
at socializing. On the other hand it can be a power trip (i.e.
a privileged behaviour that really doesn't belong in the workplace).