Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 . Prevention is the best tool to eliminate sexual harassment in the workplace. Employers are encouraged to take steps necessary to prevent sexual harassment from occurring. They can do so by providing sexual harassment training to their employees and by establishing an effective complaint or grievance process and taking immediate and appropriate action when an employee complains. This form of discrimination may be inadvertent or intentional, and it can be obvious or subtle; regardless, it is unacceptable at Appalachian and, in many cases against the law.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. Sexual harassment of students can be a form of discrimination prohibited by Title IX.

Definitions of Sexual Harassment:

According to the EEOC's Code of Federal Regulations, "Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when (1) submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment, (2) submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individual, or (3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment."

Examples of sexual harassment may include:

A faculty member displays a sexually explicit or graphic picture in the office where he or she frequently meets with students.
An instructor offers a student a better grade, extra help, or an academic opportunity in return for sexual attention.
An instructor or supervisor makes sexual comments or asks questions of a sexual nature which interferes with the work of a subordinate or causes him or her to feel uncomfortable.
A co-worker, supervisor, or university employee continually makes sexual innuendoes, insults or suggestive comments that unreasonably interfere with your working, learning, or social environment.

It is also unlawful to retaliate against an individual for opposing sexual harassment or for filing a discrimination charge, testifying, or participating in any way in an investigation, proceeding, or litigation under Title VII or Title IX.

ASU Policies and Procedures Related to Sexual Harassment