Sexual harassment can have consequences that are physical, emotional, social and that impact career and job decisions.

Some of the impacts include:

• Insomnia or other sleep disturbances
  Change in appetite
  
  
• Self-blame and guilt
  Distress
  Denial
  
  
• Physical or emotional withdrawl from friends, family and co-workers
  Difficulty interacting with others
  
  
• Dropping out of school
  Quitting one's job
  Reduced productivity

Each situation is judged on its own facts.

Situations may be different for men and women.  Courts have determined that there is a ‘reasonable man’ and a ‘reasonable woman’ standard and they are not necessarily the same.

The legal boundaries are not always clear

Ask yourself these questions.

• Could this verbal or physical behavior be considered sexual?
  
  
• Does the employee have to tolerate this conduct in order to keep a job or continue their education
  
  
• Does the conduct make the job or classroom environment seriously unpleasant for others?

If the answer to these questions is yes, the conduct should stop.

To view cases that discuss sexual harassment click here