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Q&A: What sexual harassment is and isn't

Many companies have policies forbidding sexual behavior that go beyond legal proscriptions. Still, its worth sorting out where the legal lines lie -- to distinguish the acceptable from the unacceptable, and the legally actionable from the isolated incident.

By Christie Smythe | Updated on December 07, 2017
The EEOC defines sexual harassment as "unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors or other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature" in a work environment. (Photo: Shutterstock)

It seems like hardly a day goes by without a disclosure of sexual harassment claims against a man in a powerful position, from Harvey Weinstein to Louis C.K., Matt Lauer and Garrison Keillor. Some commentators are asking where it will all end, with TV personality Geraldo Rivera tweeting that the “epidemic” of accusations could be “criminalizing courtship.” Many companies have policies forbidding sexual behavior that go beyond legal proscriptions. Still, it’s worth sorting out where the legal lines lie — to distinguish the acceptable from the unacceptable, and the legally actionable from the isolated incident.

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