Is picture of "French maid" harassment? 05-08-2008

We have a picture of a woman in a bikini (from the stomach up) - a woman in a pirate and French maid costume and a woman in a dress in front of a mirror, on our computer pic file. A co-worker (female) found it offensive and cried sexual harassment to our supervisor. Is this Harassment?? Thanks for the help.

Rita Risser Replies:

If these are the only images in the workplace, and if they do not lead to other sexual behavior (such as comments about the pictures, or comparisons of the pictures to women at work, etc.) then they are not illegal harassment. However, a company can and should set a higher standard to prevent harassment, so the pictures could violate company policy and be grounds for discipline.

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