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Workplace harassment — Iowa

Harassment is a form of discrimination. Harassment is unwelcome conduct based on a protected class that creates a hostile work environment or interferes with an employee’s ability to work. Harassment is unlawful and can be based on any of the following protected characteristics:

  • race
  • color
  • creed
  • national origin
  • religion
  • sex
  • pregnancy
  • age
  • criminal history
  • military status
  • genetic predisposition (including family medical history)
  • disability
  • sexual orientation
  • gender identity or expression.

Sexual harassment

Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that violates Title VII. Title VII protects against two types of sexual harassment:

  1. quid pro quo harassment
  1. hostile work environment harassment. 

Quid pro quo vs. hostile work environment

Quid pro quo harassment

Under the quid pro quo theory, an employee claims that a supervisor promised benefits or threatened reprisals based on the employee’s willingness to provide sexual favors. Examples of quid pro quo harassment include: “I will give you a promotion if you sleep with me”...


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