The Legal and Practical Aspects of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace 2025

Drawing the line

Not every uncomfortable joke, offhand comment, or workplace interaction is easy to characterize. For employees, distinguishing between inappropriate behavior and legally actionable harassment can feel like an uncertain judgment call. For employers, the line between a misstep and misconduct can be just as blurry, and the consequences of getting it wrong are significant. From evaluating complaints to assessing employer liability, these cases require precise legal analysis and sound judgment.

At The Legal and Practical Aspects of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, you’ll receive essential guidance on preventing harassment and effectively representing clients when it arises. Experienced practitioners will walk you through legal standards, overlapping statutes, and defense strategies, while also sharing practical approaches for fostering accountability and addressing fallout.

You’ll learn:

• Legal definitions of sexual harassment under federal and Wisconsin law—and how the standards overlap or diverge
• How to spot behaviors that meet the threshold for harassment and take steps to prevent ongoing violations
• How to evaluate policies and practices for legal compliance and effectiveness
• Common defenses available to employers and how they are tested in litigation
• Best practices for minimizing post-incident reputational, financial, and workplace harm

Policy in practice

For law firm owners, this program provides strategies for assessing firm policies, mitigating exposure, and ensuring that your employees model the practices you advise clients to adopt.

Whether advising an organization, representing an employee, or advocating for a victim, The Legal and Practical Aspects of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace will help you approach these sensitive, nuanced cases with clarity.