Sexual harassment in the workplace includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature. It can occur in a variety of circumstances, and the harasser can identify with any gender and have any relationship to the victim, including being a direct manager, indirect supervisor, coworker, teacher, peer, or colleague. Some forms of sexual harassment include:

• Making conditions of employment or advancement dependent on sexual favors, either explicitly or implicitly
• Physical acts of sexual assault
• Requests for sexual favors
• Verbal harassment of a sexual nature, including jokes referring to sexual acts or sexual orientation
• Unwanted touching or physical contact
• Unwelcome sexual advances
• Discussing sexual relations/stories/fantasies at work, school, or in other inappropriate places
• Feeling pressured to engage with someone sexually

Negative comments about women as a group may also be a form of sexual harassment. While overt forms of sexual harassment still happen in the workplace, more subtle forms of harassment are on the rise, such as suggestive late-night texts or images, unwelcome sexually-charged comments, or invitations to meetings that somehow turn into dates. Sexual harassment is illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which applies to employers with 15 or more employees. Victims of employer sexual harassment can file a sexual harassment claim or lawsuit against certain liable parties to pursue compensation for physical and emotional damages.