Key Terms and Definitions
Personnel Actions: Hiring, discharge, promotion, pay, benefits, reassignment, and other actions affecting the terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.
Harassment: Insults, jokes, slurs, or other verbal or physical conduct or activity that create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment or that unreasonably interfere with an individual's work performance.
Sexual Harassment: Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature if the implication is that submission to such conduct is expected as part of the job.
Discrimination Because of Pregnancy, Childbirth, or Related Medical Conditions: Pregnancy, childbirth, and any related medical conditions must be treated the same as other medical conditions under fringe benefit plans; discrimination because of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions is considered sex discrimination.
Exceptions: Exceptions against discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin include bona fide merit and seniority systems, so long as they are not instituted with the intent to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
