DHHS Workplace Harassment Training
Course Home Help Contents References Exit
Lesson 1: Basics
Section B: Defining Workplace Harassment
Case Example

Take a look at this case as an example of same-sex harassment.



	
Candlelight Dineer A Meeting Surprise
David, an Employee Relations Specialist, is in charge of providing benefits information to new employees. Dean is a new employee anxious to enroll in the 401k plan and to begin receiving his health benefits. Dean repeatedly asks David to schedule his benefits orientation session. Finally, David tells Dean that he is just too busy right now, but if he would like to come by his home he would be happy to explain them then. Dean agrees. However, when he arrives at David’s home he finds a candlelit dinner prepared, dimmed lights and soft music playing.
Is This Sexual Harassment?
It certainly could be! David is certainly taking a chance by assuming that this obvious "date" scenario is a situation that would be welcomed by Dean. From the way this situation was described, it is more likely that Dean would be shocked by this scene when he probably expected a "kitchen table" meeting to discuss his benefits. Dean could even find it humiliating and awkward, and would probably find it difficult as a new employee to decline dinner and insist that an office meeting would be more appropriate.


Click the "Go Back" button below to return to the last page ...

Table of Contents
Contents
Help
Help
Ask an Expert
Questions
Exit
Exit
Return to Course Home Page / Return to DHHS Home Page