What is quid pro quo harassment?
Asked by: Dr. Jeffery Denesik | Last update: November 20, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (55 votes)
Quid pro quo sexual harassment occurs when a superior makes sexual advances toward an employee in exchange for work perks or protection from punishment. In contrast, hostile work environment harassment is when an individual is subjected to unwanted sexual advances, statements, or actions in the workplace.
What does quid pro quo harassment mean?
“Quid pro quo” literally means “this for that” in Latin. Quid pro quo sexual harassment occurs when employment, pay, benefits, title, position or other opportunities for advancement or training are conditioned on the submission to unwelcome sexual advances. Whether the harassment is explicit or implicit, it is illegal.
What is an example of a quid pro quo?
Such quid pro quo harassment is generally defined as when a supervisor seeks sexual favors from someone under their supervision. A common example is when the supervisor asks for sexual favors in return for approving a promotion or giving the employee a raise.
Which behavior is an example of quid pro quo harassment?
Examples of this type of harassment can include: A supervisor requesting sexual favors as a condition for hiring, promotion, advancement, or opportunities. A manager threatening to terminate, transfer, demote, or otherwise adversely affect an employee's work life if sexual favors are not given or continued.
What are the three elements of quid pro quo harassment?
That the harasser was an employee or agent in a supervisory role of the company. That the harasser made unwanted sexual advances or engaged in other physical or verbal conduct that was sexual and unwanted. That job benefits were conditioned on the plaintiff's acceptance of the sexual advances.
What is Quid Pro Quo Harassment?
What is the difference between quid pro quo and hostile?
Key Differences
While quid pro quo and hostile work environment harassment both create an abusive environment, critical differences include: Threat: Quid pro quo directly threatens employment activities, while a hostile work environment makes doing one's job difficult.
What is the quid pro quo rule?
What Is Quid Pro Quo? Quid pro quo is a Latin term for "something for something" that originated in the Middle Ages in Europe. It describes a situation when two parties mutually agree to exchange goods or services reciprocally.
How do you prove quid pro quo harassment?
To prove quid pro quo harassment under FEHA, you will need to prove that you were an employee of the defendant or applied to the defendant for a job, the harasser made unwelcome sexual advances or engaged in other unwelcome physical behavior of a sexual nature, and the terms of employment, favorable working conditions, ...
What are the two types of workplace harassment?
- Quid pro quo harassment. ...
- Hostile work environment harassment.
Which is not an example of quid pro quo harassment?
Final answer: Quid pro quo harassment involves exchanging a job benefit for sexual favors. Among the provided examples, asking a colleague out on a date lacks a power dynamic, making it unlikely to constitute quid pro quo harassment.
What is a simple sentence for quid pro quo?
An equal exchange or substitution, as in I think it should be quid pro quo—you mow the lawn and I'll take you to the movies .
What best describes quid pro quo?
Quid pro quo means "something given or received for something else." There is nothing inherently illegal in giving or receiving something in exchange for something else, but in legal contexts quid pro quo often refers to something that is in fact illegal, such as if a company gives a government official money in ...
Is quid pro quo a crime?
Although some quid pro quos have illegal implications such as bribery and extortion, not all do. A QPQ in the form of bribery occurs when someone with a public or official obligation offers, provides, requests, or receives anything of value to persuade someone to do something.
What is the pattern of quid pro quo harassment?
Implicit or Explicit Threats in a Hostile Work Environment
Signs of quid pro quo harassment often include a pattern of inappropriate behavior that crosses professional boundaries. It may consist of unwelcome advances, sexually suggestive comments, or invasion of personal space.
What is a coercive quid pro quo?
"Quid pro quo" is a Latin phrase that translates to "this for that." It signifies an exchange, where one thing is given or promised in return for another. In the context of sexual harassment, this exchange becomes a coercive and unlawful act.
What does it mean when a girl is quid pro quo?
Another form of sexual harassment is known as “quid pro quo,” Latin for “this for that,” which refers to situations where an employee's submission to or rejection of sexual demands negatively influences employment decisions.
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 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.
Can you sue for quid pro quo?
Yes. It doesn't matter whether you were a temporary employee, freelancer or independent contractor. If you were in any of these categories of employees, you can still file a sexual harassment lawsuit for quid pro quo sexual harassment. That is, as long as you were working for the company when it happened.
What is systemic harassment?
Systemic Harassment: When harassment is due to a business practice or policy, it is called as “systemic” harassment since it is not limited to a single incident or occurrence, but rather an entire organization.
What is an example of a quid pro harassment?
Being Offered a Job in Exchange for Sexual Favors
If you go on a job interview and the person interviewing you offers you a job if you agree to do something sexual for them, it is quid pro quo sexual harassment.
What is the penalty for quid pro quo?
A penalty is imposed on a charity that does not make the required disclosure of a quid pro quo contribution of more than $75. The penalty is $10 per contribution, not to exceed $5,000 per fundraising event or mailing.
What does quid pro quo literally mean?
Quid pro quo (Latin: "something for something") is a Latin phrase used in English to mean an exchange of goods or services, in which one transfer is contingent upon the other; "a favor for a favor".
What is an example of a quid pro quo disclosure statement?
Example of a quid pro quo contribution where a disclosure statement is required: A donor gives a charitable organization $100 in exchange for a football game ticket with a fair market value of $40. In this example, the donor's tax deduction may not exceed $60.