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Connecticut Mandatory Training Law Summary

Federal and State Laws Prohibiting Harassment

Overview

Sexual harassment violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a federal law. This statute prohibits harassment, discrimination, and retaliation based on sex, race, religion, national origin, and color.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which enforces the statute, defines sexual harassment¹ as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other conduct of a sexual nature when the following occur:

• Submitting to the conduct is explicitly or implicitly made a condition of employment
• Submitting to or rejecting the conduct becomes the basis for decisions affecting an employee
• Sexual conduct interferes with an individual’s work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment

Many states, such as Connecticut and Maine, have adopted this definition of sexual harassment. However, California state law expands the federal categories of harassment to include the following²:

• Verbal harassment, including epithets, derogatory comments, or slurs
• Physical harassment, including assault, impeding or blocking movement, or any physical interference with normal work or movement, when directed at an individual
• Visual harassment, including derogatory posters, cartoons, or drawings
• Sexual favors, including unwanted sexual advances, which condition an employment benefit upon an exchange of sexual favors

When an employee raises a complaint of sexual harassment or discrimination, managers should let the employee know how the complaint will be handled and that the process has limited confidentiality because other departments, such as Human Resources, may have to be involved. Human Resources or Employee Relations are typically involved because they handle investigations in most organizations.When an organization is made aware of potential harassment or discrimination, it has a responsibility to investigate the claim and take appropriate action.

¹29 C.F.R. §1604.11.
²2 CCR 7287.6

Federal and State Laws Prohibiting Harassment: Connecticut Law