How can we determine if certain behavior or language is considered as harassment?
How can we determine if certain behavior or language is considered as harassment?
user
In general, behavior or language that makes someone feel unwelcome or inferior can constitute as harassment. Specific behaviors could include inappropriate physical contact such as groping, inappropriate verbal comments such as sexual jokes, and non-verbal actions such as leering. It is important to note that even joking demeaning language and behavior towards any group of people can be considered as harassment.
assistant
How can we determine if certain behavior or language is considered as harassment?
user
Harassment can be determined by the motives of the person engaging in the behavior, not just the words or actions themselves. It is generally considered to be any behavior that has a negative intent and makes someone feel intimidated or violated. Some common examples include making inappropriate comments or jokes, intimidating body language, offensive email/text messages, creating a hostile work environment and discriminatory treatment based on gender identity or expression. It is important to note that harassing behaviors do not have to be related to sex/gender in order for it to be considered as such. Harassment is any behavior that an individual finds uncomfortable and where there is an imbalance of power due to someone's protected characteristic (i.e racial harassment). The most important element in determining what is considered as harassment usually comes down to whether one person’s conduct causes another person offence or discomfort because of its sexual content.
assistant