Guidelines for Handling Sexual Harassment Complaints
The purpose of these guidelines is to help you know what to do if you receive a complaint or become aware of instances of possible sexual harassment and to identify resources to assist you in dealing with these problems.
The Office of Affirmative Action is the University of Pittsburgh office which deals with problems arising out of discrimination. Sexual harassment is one form of discrimination. It is illegal and, like all forms of discrimination, is of concern to every member of the University community. As a supervisor, manager or administrator, you have a particular responsibility to respond appropriately when sexual harassment is alleged. The fact that someone did not intend to sexually harass an individual is no defense to a complaint of sexual harassment. Regardless of intent, it is the effect and characteristics of the behavior that determine whether the behavior constitutes sexual harassment.
DEFINITION:
Sexual harassment is any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: 1) submission to such conduct is an explicit or implicit condition of employment or academic success; 2) submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as the basis for an employment or academic decision; or 3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of (a) unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or academic performance, or (b) creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive work or academic environment.
For more information, see the University of Pittsburgh's Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedures in the Appendix.
I. PREVENTING SEXUAL HARASSMENT
The University is committed to an educational and working environment free from sexual harassment. If you observe conduct that you believe is sexual harassment, speak out about it. Tell the offender/s to stop. Encourage others to be aware of and to report behavior that they think is sexual harassment; the University is powerless to respond to an incident of sexual harassment unless it is made aware that it is happening.