There are two different types of sexual harassment: quid pro quo, and hostile work environment. Quid pro quo harassment is when an employee is promised a benefit or threatened with a negative consequence if he or she does not submit to sexual advances. “Hostile work environment” harassment is when an employee is subjected to a work environment that includes excessive sexual remarks, sexual language or comments, or other offensive conduct.

Sexual harassment can occur even when it does not ultimately result in a negative action with respect to your employment. For example, an employee can be the victim of unlawful sexual harassment, but the harassment may not culminate in a demotion or termination.

Sexual harassment can occur regardless of the gender of either the harasser or the victim. Same-sex sexual harassment is illegal in the same way as sexual harassment by members of the opposite sex.