Defining Sexual Harassment

Q: I really am interested in knowing what the definition of sexual harassment is. Could someone please give me a clear definition of sexual harassment, and explain why this definition apparently includes a man telling dirty jokes around the water cooler or whatever, but excludes a man sexually assaulting a woman who is asking him for a job?

A: For what it's worth, I'd like to add the following summary of sexual harassment law Federal law US Code : Title 42, Section 2000e-2(a) is the basis for nearly all sexual harassment complaints. It states: It shall be an unlawful employment practice for an employer - (1) to fail or refuse to hire or to discharge any individual, or otherwise to discriminate against any individual with respect to his compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges

of employment, because of such individual's race, color, religion, sex, or national origin; or (2) to limit, segregate, or classify his employees or applicants for employment in any way which would deprive or tend to deprive any individual of employment opportunities or otherwise adversely affect his status as an employee, because of such individual's race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Site http://lawinfo.com/forum/sex-discrimination/edics-2.html gives a nice overview of sexual discrimination, including sexual harassment law. An infoseek search for the phrase "sexual harassment" will turn up many more such sites.