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Quid Pro Quo

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Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment
Maureen’s substantiated complaint of sexual harassment alleging her supervisor had demanded sexual favors is governed under federal law by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. “Put simply, sexual harassment involves unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature” (Warner, et al., 2012, p. 967). Under Title VII there is further delineation to include quid pro quo and hostile work environment. The scenario presents that Maureen is receiving repeated demands from her supervisor for sexual favors. “If any part of a job is made conditional on sexual activity, there is quid pro quo sexual harassment” (Warner, et. al., 2012, p. 967). In addition, under …show more content…

The scenario states that the supervisor continued the harassment after being warned not to. A hostile work environment contends the “behavior becomes so pervasive that it interferes with the employee’s ability to work to her best capacity” (Warner, et. al., 2012, p. 968). Colorado law defines harassment with regards to a hostile work environment as follows: “"harass" means to create a hostile work environment based upon an individual's race, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, or religion (C.R.S. 24-34-402 (2016).” Maureen would have a valid claim here as well because the unwanted behavior is based on her sex. The behavior by her supervisor is pervasive if he has already been warned to stop the harassing …show more content…

To avoid potential liability the company could have provided a more decisive or remedial action towards the supervisor. Colorado law states “harassment is not an illegal act unless a complaint is filed with the appropriate authority at the complainant's workplace and such authority fails to initiate a reasonable investigation of a complaint and take prompt remedial action if appropriate (C.R.S. 24-34-402 (2016).” Under Colorado law it may be questionable if Business Card Services did take “remedial action” with regards to simply “warning” the supervisor not to do the action again. Additionally, Business Card Services is stating it had done everything in its power to take action. Maureen could contend that having her under the same supervisor was not appropriate and the company has other actions within this that should have been

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