Final answer:
Sexual harassment encompasses unwelcome sexual behavior that affects employment or creates a hostile environment and is illegal under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX. Employers and schools are responsible for maintaining harassment-free workplaces and academic settings, with quid pro quo and hostile environment being two main forms of sexual harassment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature which negatively impact a person's employment, create a hostile work environment, or interfere with work performance. This type of behavior is considered discrimination under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as well as Title IX for institutions that receive federal funding. Employers are legally obligated to provide a harassment-free workplace, and schools must establish codes to prevent sexual harassment and may be held liable if they fail to enforce these guidelines.
There are two main types of sexual harassment: quid pro quo and hostile environment. Quid pro quo harassment involves an exchange of sexual favors for workplace benefits, while hostile environment harassment refers to ongoing actions that create a toxic workplace. Both behaviors are not only unethical but also illegal, with the potential for serious legal consequences for individuals and organizations that permit such misconduct.