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California Employment Law Glossary

Quid Pro Quo Harassment Definition
Workplace Harassment

 

Definition


 

Quid pro quo harassment occurs when a supervisor or manager conditions job benefits, continued employment, or favorable treatment on an employee's submission to sexual conduct. Examples include offering a promotion in exchange for a date, or threatening adverse employment action for rejecting sexual advances. Under California law, a single instance of quid pro quo conduct by a supervisor is sufficient to support a harassment claim.


Frequently Asked Questions

A quid pro quo claim generally requires showing that a supervisor conditioned a job benefit, or threatened a negative consequence, on your submission to unwelcome sexual conduct.

Yes. Unlike some hostile work environment claims that require repeated conduct, a single instance of quid pro quo harassment by a supervisor can be enough to support a claim.

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