In the course of the last 100 years, there have been great advancements in the workplace. Specifically, there have been changes made regarding how employees are treated and the legal recourse available in the event of mistreatment, such as sexual harassment, that results in a hostile work environment. A large portion of this change can be credited to the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Despite the strides that have been made, many people in West Virginia have found themselves to be the victims of sexual harassment in the work place.
Sexual harassment is considered to be a form of discrimination under Title VII, which applies to any business that employs over 15 workers. While most people are aware of the term, many aren't fully cognizant of what qualifies as harassment. For example, both men and women can be victims, and the harasser doesn't have to be a member of the opposite sex. Additionally, the victim does not have to be the recipient of the behavior, but could be a witness whose work performance is influenced by the sexually offensive behavior.