Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 14, April 5, 2024
Section 77-4-3 - Employer Liability for Sexual Harassment3.1. An employer, employment agency, joint apprenticeship committee or labor organization (hereinafter collectively referred to as "employer") is responsible for its acts and those of its officers, agents and supervisory employees with respect to sexual harassment regardless of whether the specific acts complained of were authorized or even forbidden by the employer and regardless of whether the employer knew or reasonably should have known of their occurrence, except that the employer is not responsible if the officer, agent or supervisory employee was acting outside the scope of his employment. The Commission will examine the circumstances of the particular employment relationship and the job functions performed by the individual in determining whether an individual acted as an officer, or in either a supervisory or agency capacity, and acted within or outside of the scope of his employment.3.2. With respect to conduct between fellow employees, an employer is responsible for acts of sexual harassment in the workplace where the employer (or its agents or supervisory employees) knew or reasonably should have known of such conduct, or expressly or impliedly authorized or ratified such conduct. As a defense an employer may show that it took timely and appropriate corrective action regarding such conduct.3.3. An employer may also be responsible for the acts of non-employees, with respect to sexual harassment of employees in the workplace, where the employer (or its agents or supervisory employees) knew or should have reasonably known of the conduct and failed to take timely and appropriate corrective action. In reviewing these cases the Commission will consider the extent of the employer's control and any other legal responsibility which the employer may have with respect to the conduct of such non-employees.3.4. Where employment opportunities or benefits are granted because of an individual's submission to the employer's sexual advances or requests for sexual favors, the employer may be held liable for unlawful sex discrimination against other persons who were qualified for but denied that employment opportunity or benefit.3.5. Employers are encouraged to take all steps necessary to prevent sexual harassment from occurring. Appropriate preventative steps include, but are not limited to, affirmatively expressing strong disapproval of sexual harassment, developing and implementing appropriate sanctions, informing employees of their right to be free from harassment and the appropriate steps to take if harassment occurs, and developing methods to sensitize all employees regarding appropriate behavior in the workplace.