Sexual harassment, in law, consists of deliberate and unwelcome sexual advances, unwanted requests for sexual favors, and certain other offensive conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment may be committed by men or women in many different roles, such as that of boss, client, co-worker, military superior, or teacher. However, a large majority of cases involve the harassment of women by their male bosses or fellow employees. A number of countries, including the United States and Canada, have laws against sexual harassment.

Laws recognize two types of employment-related sexual harassment: (1) quid pro quo and (2) hostile environment. Quid pro quo harassment occurs when a person in authority requires sexual favors from an employee in exchange for a job advantage, such as getting hired or promoted or not getting fired. Quid pro quo is a Latin phrase meaning one thing in return for another.

In hostile environment harassment, the offender does not demand an exchange. Instead, a pattern of behavior makes the victim's job so unpleasant that the person's work is affected. The harassment may consist of asking sexual favors, making sexual comments, telling sexual jokes, or displaying pornographic pictures.

Excerpt from the "Sexual harassment)" article, The World Book Encyclopedia © 1999