[lbo-talk] sexual harrassment

[Stephen E Philion]

Actually that kind of assertion--"you don't belong here"--falls squarely
within the legal definition for sexual harassment that is the law of the
land under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other laws, if 
it
is part of an overall atmosphere of hostility to women, and if "such 
conduct
has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an 
individual's
work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive 
working
environment."  29 CFR 1604.11(a).  

--however, wasn't the original remark commented on 'you're only here 
because of affirmative action?'and unrelated to gender? 1) and 2) 
wouldn't context matter in terms of how the comment was made, intent, 
and 3) wouldn't it also matter if the comment was made repeatedly as 
part of an overall pattern of harrassment?.... in other words, it's 
hardly a cut and dry issue in most cases, though you'd hardly know it 
from some of the discussion here.

steve