My employer has a zero policy regarding sexual harassment. What does that mean?
A. When laws are passed, employer policies must at least mirror the law, however, they can be broader than the law. There has been a trend to institute a zero tolerance policy regarding sexual harassment so the behavior can be addressed at the lowest level. In order for behaviors to be considered sexual harassment under the federal or state law, the behavior has to meet the standard of the law (see guidelines above). However, with a zero tolerance policy, the employer is saying everything of a sexual nature belongs outside the workplace (unless it pertains to the job you are hired to do). Zero-tolerance is immediate, behavior may be considered sexual harassment at a first occurrence (bringing in the Victoria Secrets catalog, or the swimsuit edition of Sports Illustrated) and subject to counseling or discipline.
