Workplace Harassment Essay

Workplace harassment is defined as any unwanted/undesirable remarks or action based on race, sex, or other characteristics that unfairly hinders with an employee’s work performance or produces a threatening or hostile work environment.   Any type of workplace harassment is considered a type of discrimination, which is protected by the government. According to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, unlawful harassment is a form of discrimination and any such acts of harassment violates this law. There are two types of hostile work environment harassment, which are sexual and non-sexual hostile work environment harassment.
Sexual harassment includes staring in a sexually suggestive manner. Another act that is referred to as a form of sexual harassment in the work environment is touching in a manner that could possibly make another employee feel out of place. For instance, intentional rubbing against another employee’s body. Also, sending sexually suggestive emails, images, letters, or notes to other employees is referred to as a type of sexual harassment in the work environment. Sexual or vulgar remarks in front of another employee are considered a sexual form of work environment harassment. Finally, making insulting comments about body parts, clothing, or looks constitutes as a work of sexual harassment.
Non-sexual hostile work environment harassment includes using racially offensive words or phrases. Another non-sexual hostile work environment action is making unwelcoming and offensive remarks about an employee’s gender that are not sexual in nature. Negative remarks about an employee’s religious preferences also are considered a form of non-sexual hostile work environment harassment.   Any type of harassment in the work environment is unwanted and unwelcomed and clearly violates employees’ rights that are protected under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.