Law Enforcement Training: Roles, Ethics, System, and Well-Being Practice Exam

Sexual harassment is a form of discrimination based on sex. When unwelcome sexual conduct targets someone because of their sex and affects their terms, conditions, or status at work (or creates a hostile environment), it is not just inappropriate behavior—it constitutes sex discrimination under equal employment laws. This links harassment and discrimination: the conduct is rooted in gender bias and used to treat someone unfavorably because of their sex.

For example, a supervisor offering a job benefit in exchange for a sexual favor is harassment that discriminates on the basis of sex (quid pro quo). Similarly, repeated sexual comments or conduct that create a hostile work environment harms an employee due to their sex and is illegal as discrimination. Harassment can occur in the workplace, and discrimination covers unfair treatment based on protected characteristics like sex.