Was That Harassment?

HBR Case Questions

• What makes a comment inappropriate? The intention of the speaker, the impression of the listener, or an objective standard?
• Did Jackson mean any harm? Should this matter?
• From what we know of the different categories of sexual harassment, how would you categorize Jackson’s specific behavior?
• Does Rainer have an ethical dilemma? What were his responsibilities to his employer and to his co-workers?
• Should it matter that Teaira did not appreciate Rainer’s interference?
• What should be Jackson’s consequence?
• Is Coltra innocent? How could Coltra have handled the incident better?  Is there anything Coltra could or should have done to avoid the situation entirely?
• Which parties have legal liability?  Under what laws, theories and/or causes of action?