Sexual harassment

• Author: Laura M. Franze/Patrick J. Maher
• Pages: 811-888

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

20-1

CHAPTER 20

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

BY LAURA M. FRANZE AND PATRICK J. MAHER

20:1. INTRODUCTION

20:2. GOVERNING STATUTES, REGULATIONS & GUIDELINES

A. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

B. Chapter 21 of the Texas Labor Code

C. EEOC Guidelines

20:3. SUPREME COURT RULINGS ON SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE

A. Meritor Savings Bank, FSB v. Vinson

B. Harris v. Forklift Systems, Inc.

C. Oncale v. Sundowner Offshore Services, Inc.

D. Faragher v. City of Boca Raton

E. Burlington Industries, Inc. v. Ellerth

F. Clark County School District v. Breeden

G. National Railroad Passenger Corporation v. Morgan

H. Pennsylvania State Police v. Suders

I. Crawford v. Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee

J. Vance v. Ball State University

20:4. THEORIES OF LIABILITY UNDER TITLE VII AND CHAPTER 21 OF THE TEXAS LABOR CODE

A. Hostile Environment Sexual Harassment

1. Elements—Overview

2. Protected Class

3. Unwelcome Conduct

4. Harassment Based Upon Sex or Gender

5. Harassment Suff‌iciently Severe or Pervasive to Affect Job Performance or Alter Working Conditions

a. Reasonable Person v. Reasonable Woman

b. Weighing the Severity and Pervasiveness of Conduct

c. Distinguishing Sexual Harassment From Boorishness

6. Employer Knew or Should Have Known

a. Overview

b. Harassment by Supervisors and Agents

c. Harassment by Co-Workers

d. Harassment by Non-Employees

e. Harassment of Third Parties by an Employee

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Texas Employment Law 20-2

B. Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment

1. Elements

2. Employer Liability (Respondeat Superior)

C. Individual Supervisor Liability

D. Retaliation

E. Constructive Discharge

F. Same -Sex Sexual Harassment

G. Sexual Favoritism

H. Sexual Harassment and Workplace Technology

1. E-Mail Harassment

2. Internet Harassment

3. Social Media Harassment

4. Textual Harassment

20:5. DAMAGES AND REMEDIES

A. Available Damages and Equitable Relief

B. Emotional Distress Damages

20:6. DEFENSES

A. Challenge Plaintiff’s Prima Facie Case

1. Conduct Not Because of Sex or Gender

2. Conduct Not Severe or Pervasive

B. Plaintiff Failed to Use Internal Complaint Procedure

C. Employer Took Prompt and Appropriate Remedial Action

1. Prompt Response

2. Appropriate Remedial Action

D. Employer Not Responsible for Harasser’s Conduct

20:7. RIGHTS OF THE ACCUSED

A. Defamation

B. Intentional Interference With Contract

C. Wrongful Discharge

D. Invasion of Privacy

20:8. DISCOVERY AND EVIDENTIARY ISSUES

A. Plaintiff’s Past Sexual Behavior and Alleged Sexual Predisposition

1. Generally Inadmissible

2. Federal Rule of Evidence 412

B. Plaintiff’s Workplace Conduct

C. Plaintiff’s Mental Condition and Psychological History

1. Plaintiff ’s Mental Condition in Controversy

2. Plaintiff ’s Mental State Relevant to Character Defense

3. Restricted Examination Allowed

D. Evidence Concerning Alleged Harasser

E. Harassment Against Other Employees

F. After- Acquired Evidence

APPENDICES

Appendix 20-1 Survey of Recent Jury Verdicts in Sexual Harassment Cases

Appendix 20-2 Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Appendix 20-3 Internal Complaint Review Procedure

Appendix 20-4 Avoiding Sexual Harassment in the Workplace—Policies, Procedures and Remedial Issues

Appendix 20-5 Electronic Policy Checklist

Appendix 20-6 Questions and Answers for Small Employers on Employer Liability for Harassment by Supervisors

Appendix 20-7 Enforcement Guidance: Vicarious Employer Liability for Unlawful Harassment by Supervisors

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

20-3 Sexual Harassment §20:1

20:1. INTRODUCTION

Σεξυαλ ηαρασσµεντ ισ α τερµ τηατ ηασ νοτ ονλψ περµεατεδ τηε νατιοναλ χονσχιουσνεσσ, βυτ ηασ βεχοµε παρτ

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σεξυαλ ηαρασσµεντ, ηοωεϖερ, ισ νοτ εασψ. Βεψονδ τηε οβϖιουσ χασεσ οφ σεξυαλ ϖιολατιον, ηυµιλιατιον, ανδ ϖιολενχε

ιν τηε ωορκπλαχε, τηερε ισ νο χονσενσυσ ασ το ωηατ ισ ανδ ισ νοτ σεξυαλ ηαρασσµεντ. Σεε Αλαµο Ηειγητσ Ινδεπενδεντ

Σχηοολ ∆ιστ. ϖ. Χλαρκ, 544 Σ.Ω.3δ 755, 763 (Τεξ. 2018) (Ωορκπλαχε δισχριµινατιον ανδ ηαρασσµεντ χασεσ αρε σοµε

    

ΕΕΟΧ

ϖ. Ηαρβερτ−Ψεαργιν, Ινχ.

Ιδ.

Χλαρκ, 544 Σ.Ω.3δ ατ 763.

  

  



αχτιον αλσο φρεθυεντλψ αρισε ιν σεξυαλ ηαρασσµεντ χασεσ.





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  

    

βεχοµε α ωορκπλαχε χριµε?



  

 

 



−

  



−

µεντ σεξυαλ ηαρασσµεντ. Σεε Χασιανο ϖ. ΑΤ&Τ Χορπ., 213 Φ.3δ 278, 283 (5τη Χιρ. 2000); Wae House, Inc. v.

Ωιλλιαµσ



ϖισυαλ, ορ πηψσιχαλ χονδυχτ. Nagel Mfg. & Supply Co. v. Ulloa, 812 Σ.Ω.2δ 78 (Τεξ. Αππ.Αυστιν 1991, ωριτ



    



   

ιναδεθυατε ρεµεδιαλ αχτιον.

 Σεξυαλ ΒριβερψΣολιχιτατιον οφ σεξυαλ αχτιϖιτψ ορ οτηερ σεξ−λινκεδ βεηαϖιορ βψ προµισε οφ ρεωαρδ ορ

τηρεατ οφ πυνισηµεντ (χλασσιχ θυιδ προ θυο ηαρασσµεντ).

 Σεξυαλ ΧοερχιονΧοερχιον οφ σεξυαλ αχτιϖιτψ ορ οτηερ σεξ−λινκεδ βεηαϖιορ βψ τηρεατ οφ πυνισηµεντ (α

φορµ οφ θυιδ προ θυο ηαρασσµεντ).

 

See generally  



Συπρεµε Χουρτ δεµονστρατεσ.

Φυτυρε σεξυαλ ηαρασσµεντ χασεσ αρε λικελψ το ινϖολϖε πριϖαχψ, ϖιχαριουσ ρεσπονσιβιλιτψ ανδ Φιρστ Αµενδµεντ



ϑαχοβελλισ ϖ. Στατε οφ Οηιο, 378 Υ.Σ. 184 (1964).