Harassment Prevention for Managers - State and Local Government Edition

Typically, when people hear the term 'workplace harassment' they think of sexual harassment. But that is just one of the many forms workplace harassment may take. Unlawful harassment is any form of unwanted or unsolicited behavior directed at an individual or group of individuals, by another associate or superior, on the basis of a protected characteristic as outlined by various anti-discrimination laws (including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act). These protected characteristics include race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and age. Depending on state law and other circumstances, additional characteristics such as sexual orientation and marital status may also be protected. This course will review the characteristics protected by law and discuss what supervisors and managers can do to model non-discriminatory conduct and discourage harassing behavior of any type in their own work groups by their employees or themselves. This course was developed with subject matter support provided by the Labor, Employment, and Employee Benefits Law Group of the law firm of Sheehan Phinney Bass & Green PA. Please note, however, that the course materials and content are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Nothing herein, or in the course materials, shall be construed as professional advice as to any particular situation or constitute a legal opinion with respect to compliance with any federal, state, or local laws. Transmission of the information is not intended to create, and receipt does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. Readers should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel. The information contained herein is provided only as general information that may or may not reflect the most current legal developments. This information is not provided in the course of an attorney-client relationship and is not intended to constitute legal advice or to substitute for obtaining legal advice from an attorney licensed in your state.