What constitutes sexual harassment in the workplace?

• A. Unwelcome advances or conduct that affects employment, interferes with work performance, or creates a hostile environment.
• B. Criticizing a coworker’s performance in private.
• C. Parking in a reserved spot.
• D. Wearing provocative clothing.

Answer: (A)

Sexual harassment in the workplace is unwelcome sexual advances or conduct of a sexual nature that affects employment, interferes with work performance, or creates a hostile work environment. This captures both unwanted sexual behavior and its impact on job conditions or the workplace climate. It can be verbal, nonverbal, or physical, and it can come from a supervisor, coworker, or someone else in the workplace. It may be a single severe incident or a pattern of behavior. The other options describe nonsexual issues or actions that don’t inherently involve inappropriate sexual conduct or its impact on work, so they don’t fit the definition.