Legal Question in Sexual Harassment in West Virginia
gossip of sexual nature in the workplace
Male person tells a group of female employees that another person is having sex with a co-worker. Is this a form of sexual harrasment or hostile work place?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: gossip of sexual nature in the workplace
Under federal law, a single instance such as you have described is in and of itself, likely to not be sufficient to state a claim for sexual harassment. However, it may still be a violation of your company's anti-harassment policy. Also, state law may provide a different answer.
Generally, to state a claim for unlawful harassment, the harassment must be either sufficiently severe or pervasive so as to interfere with your working environment. For more information about sexual harassment law, you may want to visit the EEOC's website at www.eeoc.gov.