What are 3 examples that are not harassment?

Asked by: Dr. Jaren Stanton V  |  Last update: January 23, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (16 votes)

Behaviours that are not considered harassment are those that arise from a relationship of mutual consent. A hug between friends, mutual flirtation, and a compliment on physical appearance between colleagues are not considered harassment.

What is not considered as harassment?

What is Not workplace harassment? Legitimate and reasonable management actions such as actions taken to transfer demote, and discipline an employee provided these actions are conducted in a reasonable way are not considered workplace harassment.

What behaviour is not harassment?

Some examples include: A supervisor treating an employee to a meal to celebrate a milestone or achievement. Being alone with an employee or co-worker, such as in an office with a closed door for a meeting or in a car while traveling to a conference. Giving a gift to an employee or co-worker.

Which is not an example of harassing behavior?

Harassment refers to any unwelcome behavior of a verbal, physical, or visual nature that is based on a protected characteristic such as race, gender, or disability. Being polite even if you don't like a person is not an example of harassment.

What are three examples of harassment?

Examples of harassment include offensive or derogatory jokes, racial or ethnic slurs, pressure for dates or sexual favors, unwelcome comments about a person's religion or religious garments, or offensive graffiti, cartoons or pictures.

5 Examples of Verbal Harassment At Work

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What things count as harassment?

Online stalking or harassment
  • monitoring someone's internet use, email or other electronic communication.
  • cyber flashing.
  • getting access to someone's email and social media accounts.
  • spamming and sending viruses.
  • stealing someone's identity.
  • threatening to share private information, photographs, copies of messages.

What are the 5 Ds of harassment?

5Ds: Direct, Delegate, Delay, Distract and Document. You can make a choice to actively and visibly support trans and non-binary people to safely accessing the bathroom that fits their identity and comfort. The Five D's of Bystander Intervention are tools you can use to support someone who's being harmed.

What is an example of not harassment?

Behaviours that are not considered harassment are those that arise from a relationship of mutual consent. A hug between friends, mutual flirtation, and a compliment on physical appearance between colleagues are not considered harassment.

What is an example of victimisation?

Victimisation may occur if, for example: A student alleges that they have encountered racism from a tutor, and as a result they are ignored by other staff members.

Which Behaviours are signs of harassment?

Harassment may include:
  • bullying at school or in the workplace.
  • cyber stalking (using the internet to harass someone)
  • antisocial behaviour.
  • sending abusive text messages.
  • sending unwanted gifts.
  • unwanted phone calls, letters, emails or visits.

Is rudeness considered harassment?

For harassment to violate the law, it must be based on a legally protected characteristic (see question #[1]). Being rude, teasing, or mistreating somebody because of a personality conflict, without a connection to a protected characteristic, does not violate the laws enforced by the EEOC.

What not to say in an HR investigation?

I'm not sure, but…” Speculating or making assumptions can muddle the facts, leading to misunderstandings. Stick to what you know. “It's always been done this way”: This defense can imply resistance to change or justify inappropriate behavior based on tradition, which doesn't hold up under scrutiny.

How do you stop someone from harassing you?

Legal Options
  1. Applying for a Protection Order. ...
  2. Report to the police. ...
  3. Document the harassment. ...
  4. Telephone company. ...
  5. Social media. ...
  6. Block the abusive person from contacting you.

What is personal harassment?

When directed at an individual or individuals, the following behaviours are considered to be personal harassment: Abuse of authority. Acts of intimidation or coercion. Bullying. Disparaging remarks about an individual.

What happens when you file a police report for harassment?

Evidence will be reviewed by whomever is assigned to do so. Further investigation may be necessary. Once the evidence is reviewed, a decision will be made to file charges against the accused or find that there is not enough evidence to pursue charges.

Can an employer tell you not to talk to other employees?

When you and another employee have a conversation or communication about your pay, it is unlawful for your employer to punish or retaliate against you in any way for having that conversation.

What is indirect harassment?

Indirect harassment occurs when the act was not aimed at the employee but creates a toxic atmosphere, or if simply put, a secondary victim is offended by an unwelcome conduct. This can manifest in several ways. A person is subjected to indirect harassment if he/she: Overhears an offensive joke or remark.

What are four examples of unfair discrimination?

The following would be considered illegal discrimination if there is evidence that the decision was made based on a protected characteristic:
  • Sexual Harassment.
  • Refusal to Provide Services.
  • Unfair Lending Practices.
  • Misrepresenting the Availability of Housing.
  • Refusal to Allow “Reasonable Modifications”
  • Refusing Rental.

What are the 9 protected characteristics?

Under the Equality Act 2010, there are 9 protected characteristics which are; age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

What is not considered harassment?

Single, isolated incidents, such as a passing comment or a minor disagreement, are typically not considered illegal workplace harassment. California law requires a pattern of behavior that is severe or pervasive enough to create a hostile work environment.

Is calling someone lazy harassment?

For the first scenario, if every time you didn't help the co-worker and they complained to the boss stating that the reason you weren't helping wasn't that you were on break, but because of a stereotype saying people of your national origin are “lazy” and “rude,” that would be unlawful harassment.

Can you be fired for touching someone?

Touching will be illegal if it is unwelcome and either severe or pervasive enough to generate a hostile work environment or if it is part of a sexual advance by a figure of authority in the workplace. Often, courts divide sexual harassment into quid pro quo harassment and hostile work environment harassment.

What is petty harassment?

A person commits a petty misdemeanor if, with purpose to harass another, he or she: (a) Makes a telephone call without purpose or legitimate communication; or. (b) Insults, taunts or challenges another in a manner likely to provoke violent or disorderly response; or.

What are 3 actions that are considered harassment?

Offensive conduct may include, but is not limited to, offensive jokes, slurs, epithets or name calling, physical assaults or threats, intimidation, ridicule or mockery, insults or put-downs, offensive objects or pictures, and interference with work performance.

What is non-verbal harassment?

Examples of non-verbal harassment include:

Looking someone up and down ('elevator eyes') Following or stalking behaviors. Using sexually suggestive visuals. Making sexual gestures with hands or body movements. Facial expressions like winking, throwing kisses, or licking lips.