An employee is standing very close to another employee with their hand on the other employee's shoulder.

What Does

Severe or Pervasive Mean?

For conduct to be considered harassment, it generally must also be either severe or pervasive. So for example, a single severe incident, such as unwelcome groping or the use of race or sex-based threats could be considered harassment.

And a pattern of less severe inappropriate behavior that persists over time, such as teasing, taunting, or making sexual jokes, could also be considered harassment.