Interim Sex Discrimination Policy: Definition of Sex-based Harassment under California Law
California Institute of Technology
Relevant Excerpt
Sexual harassment (“sex-based harassment) means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature, made by someone from or in the work or educational setting, under any of the following conditions:
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The conduct has the purpose or effect of having a negative impact upon the individual’s work or academic performance, or of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or educational environment.
Verbal sexual harassment includes but is not limited to unwelcome epithets, comments, or slurs of a sexual nature.
Visual sexual harassment includes but is not limited to derogatory posters, cartoons, drawings, obscene gestures, or computer-generated images of a sexual nature.