Quid pro quo Sexual Harassment Law and Legal Definition
Quid pro quo harassment is the most commonly recognized form of sexual harassment. This mostly occurs when job benefits are made contingent on the provision of sexual favors. When a sexual advance is rejected by an employee it can result in loss of employment or other benefits in job. This is also a part of quid pro quo sexual harassment. Quid pro quo harassment also occurs when an employee makes an evaluative decision, or provides or withholds professional opportunities based on another employee's submission to verbal, nonverbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
When a sexual harassment claimant establishes a case of sexual harassment that meets applicable legal standards, employers are under the burden of proving that the harassment did not occur or that it occurred for non-discriminatory reasons. Remedies for victims of quid pro quo sexual harassment include recovery of compensatory damages. Punitive damages can also be awarded to successful claimants. However, such damages are awarded only if the claimant establishes that the employer acted with malice or reckless indifference to his/her rights.
