Often flirting with each other at work, Mike and Lindsay both view their actions as harmless fun, as do the other employees in their office. Their flirtation does not offend the other workers or make them feel threatened or uncomfortable. Nevertheless, under current criteria, both Mike and Lindsay could be found guilty of sexual harassment.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In evaluating a person's behavior to determine if it involves harassment, specific criteria are applied. A person's behavior is considered sexually harassing if: (1) another employee is required (either explicitly or implicitly) to submit to such conduct as a condition of employment, or if accepting or rejecting such behavior is used as a basis for employment decisions affecting the worker's status; or (2) the conduct unreasonably interferes with a worker's job performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment. Since neither Mike nor Lindsay feels threatened or pressured to engage in this behavior, and since the work environment is not intimidating, offensive, or hostile to Mike, Lindsay, or their coworkers, the criteria for sexual harassment are not present.

Often Flirting with Each Other at Work, Mike and Lindsay