Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when (1) submission to such conduct is made a condition of employment and/or (2) conduct is used as basis for employment decisions, and/or (3) conduct's purpose is to interfere with work performance, or create an intimidating/hostile/offensive working environment; this is called what?

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when (1) submission to such conduct is made a condition of employment and/or (2) conduct is used as basis for employment decisions, and/or (3) conduct's purpose is to interfere with work performance, or create an intimidating/hostile/offensive working environment; this is called what?

• A. Sexual harassment
• B. Workplace bullying
• C. Harassment policy
• D. Whistleblowing

Answer: (A)

Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that either ties submission to employment decisions, is used as a basis for employment decisions, or creates a work environment that is intimidating, hostile, or offensive. This description covers the main ways the behavior affects work and safety: it can be tied to promotion or job outcomes, it can influence how you’re treated at work, or it can simply make the workplace uncomfortable or hostile. Other concepts don’t fit this scenario as precisely. Workplace bullying refers to general abusive behavior not limited to sexual conduct. A harassment policy is the rules or guidelines that govern how harassment is handled, not the behavior itself. Whistleblowing is reporting illegal or improper activity. The behavior described here is best categorized as sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that either ties submission to employment decisions, is used as a basis for employment decisions, or creates a work environment that is intimidating, hostile, or offensive. This description covers the main ways the behavior affects work and safety: it can be tied to promotion or job outcomes, it can influence how you’re treated at work, or it can simply make the workplace uncomfortable or hostile.

Other concepts don’t fit this scenario as precisely. Workplace bullying refers to general abusive behavior not limited to sexual conduct. A harassment policy is the rules or guidelines that govern how harassment is handled, not the behavior itself. Whistleblowing is reporting illegal or improper activity. The behavior described here is best categorized as sexual harassment.