For Female Astronomers, Sexual Harassment Is a Constant Nightmare

Re:For Female Astronomers, Sexual Harassment Is a Constant N... by matwood on Monday April 18, 2016 @11:03AM (#11520442)

I always wonder at what point does bullying and the like become genuine illegal harassment? I have worked with assholes who bullied and acted like children, but I dealt with it and moved on. If my wife had worked with the same person does that make the bully's actions now something that is illegal?

I've done some reading on this and it is never quite clear. It seems like if the asshole is an asshole to everyone it is fine. Only if they pick a protected class to be an asshole to does it become a problem.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:For Female Astronomers, Sexual Harassment Is a Constant N... by Trombone12 on Monday April 18, 2016 @11:23AM (#11520618)

Presumably the law has the standard for all genders, though in practice they tend to not be gender neutral in their use of pronouns, and courts have expectations of what is acceptable largely defined by traditional gender roles.

I would wish that bullying that is illegal when directed at your wife is illegal when directed at you (modulo gender specific forms). In practice I'm sure it depends on how manly you are compared with her.

[ Parent | on HN ]