Sexual harassment in the workplace is a very big problem today. It is a problem that hasn't really drawn much attention until now. More and more sexual harassment cases have been brought up today than ever before. We hear about a harassment case in the papers almost everyday. In some cases we might not know that it is even taking place. What is sexual harassment? The dictionary definition of sexual is relating to, having or involving sex. The dictionary definition of harassment is to annoy persistently. The definition of sexual harassment then is to persistently annoy someone through the use of sexual tactics. In the borderline situation discussed in class, there were some actions toward the teacher by the principal that expressed sexual harassment. In order to defend those actions as sexual harassment, a clear definition of sexual harassment should be explained.
             What exactly is sexual harassment? Many people cannot actually define the term properly and give reasons. Many misconceptions of harassment have been conceived. The term sexual harassment can be defined as "a speech and/or conduct of a sexually discriminatory nature, which was neither welcomed nor encouraged, committed by or permitted by a superior, which would be so offensive to a reasonable person as to create an abusive working environment and/or impair his/her job performance" (Riger 611). By breaking down the definition into mini phrases, there can be a clearer definition. "Speech and/or conduct" means that sexual harassment can be mere words, words in conjunction with conduct, or conduct alone. "of a sexual discriminatory nature" means that the issue is not the content of the speech or the precise nature of the conduct so much as whether that speech/conduct is directed at the employee on the basis of his/her gender. "which was neither welcomed nor encouraged" mea!
             ns if the defendant can show that the pl...