LIEB BLOG

Legal Analysts

Thursday, August 30, 2018

Sexual Harassment Training - Case Studies - Example 1 / Question 2

Facts: Li Yan's coworker Ralph has just been through a divorce. He drops comments on a few occasions that he is lonely and needs to find a new girlfriend. Li Yan and Ralph have been friendly in the past and have had lunch together in local restaurants on many occasions. Ralph asks Li Yan to go on a date with him—dinner and a movie. Li Yan likes Ralph and agrees to go out with him. She enjoys her date with Ralph but decides that a relationship is not a good idea. She thanks Ralph for a nice time, but explains that she does not want to have a relationship with him. Ralph waits two weeks and then starts pressuring Li Yan for more dates. She refuses, but Ralph does not stop. He keeps asking her to go out with him.

Question: Li Yan cannot complain of sexual harassment because she went on a date with Ralph.True or False?

FALSE: Being friendly, going on a date, or even having a prior relationship with a coworker does not mean that a coworker has a right to behave as Ralph did toward Li Yan. She has to continue working with Ralph, and he must respect her wishes and not engage in behavior that has now become inappropriate for the workplace.

To schedule your company's training - email info@liebcompliance.com the following information:
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  • Your name / position / title 
  • Your telephone number
  • Your email address
  • Total amount of employees at your company
  • Whether you have a policy already in place (also required)
  • Whether your employees are computer literate
  • What days / times you request a training
Within 48 hours, a representative from Lieb Compliance will be in contact to solve your compliance obligation.
Question 2.
Li Yan cannot complain of sexual harassment because she went on a date with Ralph.
True or False?
FALSE:
Being friendly, going on a date, or even having a prior relationship with a c
oworker does not
mean that a coworker has a right to behave as Ralph did toward Li Yan. She has to continue working
with Ralph, and he must respect her wishes and not engage in behavior that has now become
inappropriate for the workplace.