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Myth: If I don't supervise the person, I am not liable.
Reality: Sexual harassment can occur between peers or across or outside any organizational boundary.
Myth: If I dress modestly and I'm over 40, I don't have to worry about sexual harassment.
Reality: Victims and perpetrators of sexual harassment come in all ages, genders, sizes, colors, and levels of physical beauty. It can be across genders or the same gender.
Myth: Most sexual harassment complaints are false charges filed to "get back" at a person who is disliked.
Reality: Most people report incidents of sexual harassment because they do not want it to happen to someone else.
Myth: If I do not hear the word "NO," it is okay to continue with my advances because they are not offensive and are welcome.
Reality: The standard for proving sexual harassment charges is that they are "unwelcome." That standard is easier to meet if the victim has clearly said, "NO." However, if there were circumstance that made saying no difficult, the standard is met by showing they were unwelcome by the victim's other conduct.
Myth: Most men and women agree on the types of behavior that constitute sexual harassment.
Reality: Perceptions differ. In most workplaces, men and women generally don't agree on how much harassment exists or what types of behavior constitute sexual harassment. Sexual harassment can be blatant, which is usually easy to identify. It can also be more subtle and, especially in hostile work environment cases, perceptions of men and women differ. The legal standard is what a "reasonable person" would consider harassing behavior.
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Health Sciences Campus, PMB B308
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What is sexual harassment?