What is sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment is a form of gender discrimination that is prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It is a form of bullying or unwanted conduct based on a person’s sex or gender. In the state of California, sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature. This can include comments of a sexual nature, jokes, or inappropriate physical contact. Additionally, sexual harassment may also involve non-verbal communication such as leering, gestures, or displaying items or pictures of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment may also occur in various forms of electronic communication, including text messages, emails, voicemails, and social media messages. It can even include harassing another person through a third party, such as a family member or friend. In California, any employee who is subjected to unwanted sexual advances or other types of sexual harassment can file a complaint with their employer or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The employer then must take prompt and effective steps to investigate and resolve any complaint. If the employer does not take action to address the issue, the employee may be able to file a lawsuit for damages.

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