Sometimes people differ in views based on their life experiences. For instance, an instructor who is 60 years old who rubs a student's back might think that he is giving her encouragement. Meanwhile, the student, who is 18 years, thinks that the instructor is just a dirty old man. The instructor might kiss the student on the cheek thinking that he is treating her like his daughter while the student thinks that he is being unprofessional. The instructor might invite the student out to an event thinking that he is helping her network with people in the area of study while the student thinks that the instructor is asking her out on a date.
What is sexual harassment? Sexual harassment consists of unwanted sexual advances, or other conduct of a sexual nature that suggest that the submission or rejection to the conduct will be a factor in an employment decision or the conduct interferes with an individual's performance by creating a hostile environment.
The defining characteristic of sexual harassment is whether the target finds the behavior unwelcome, regardless of the intent of the actor. Actions that are more likely considered to be harassment are those that are repetitive and reveal intimate information.
Retaliation for any harassment complaints is prohibited as held by case law, but false allegations may be subject to an organization's discipline policies.
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