The EEOC Sexual Harassment Guidelines: Welcome Advances under Title VII?

The interpretative guidelines on sexual harassment recently promulgated by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, describe those acts taken toward an employee that the Commission considers employment discrimination prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Additionally, the guidelines define under what circumstances an employer will be held liable for sexual harassment of his or her employees. In this article, the author examines the new guidelines in light of their statutory bases in Title VII and case law interpreting the statute. She explains the guidelines' provisions and critically evaluates those sections she finds without statutory and case support.