What constitutes sexual harassment in the office?

Any unwanted touching or sexual comments and remarks

Any action that that makes you uncomfortable and is pointed at your gender.

It could be anything from an inappropriate joke, unwanted touching, even an explicit conversation within ear shot. As long as you have expressed that it makes you feel uncomfortable and the problem persists it is sexual harassment.

Anything that the subject of the harassment considers to be harassment. Anything that makes her or him uncomfortable and feels to be demeaning.

aby type of flirting or suggestive phrases that are unwanted or are making someone feel uncomfortable

I work for a very large city in CA. We are instructed in this yearly! This city has paid out MILLIONS in Sexual Harassment suits.

It depends on the "harassed". It is all in how the "harassed" perceives the action. If a man looks (not ogles, just looks) at a women's breasts, no matter what she is wearing or how much is shown, that can be sexual harassment. If a man compliments a woman on her appearance ("You are especially pretty today"), that can be called sexual harassment. If a woman talks about bananas or cucumbers with a smile, around a man, that is sexual harassment. If a woman looks at a man's crotch or butt, he can claim sexual harassment. If I have a calendar with a woman in a bikini (not nude), and a woman walks past my area and sees it, that is sexual harassment (she is in a "hostile" or "lewd" environment). Of course ALL touching is a no-no. No "warm" or lingering handshakes. No hugs (unless the woman initiates the hug).

I know this sounds silly but it is true. The INTENTION is irrelevant, it is how the action is PERCEIVED. If a man is trying to be nice, but the woman is does not understand or can't take a compliment: sexual harassment.

Of course this goes for man to man and woman to woman also.

1. Unwelcome sexual advances.
2. Unwelcome touching, hugging, kissing.
3. Creation of a sexually-charged atmosphere, e.g., men kissing the air, rubbing their crotches, howling, whistling when a woman, attractive or otherwise, comes into sight.
4. Maintaining a sexual relationship between a superior (supervisor, manager) and line employee thereby creating the impression that one can get ahead by putting out.
5. Creating a hostile work environment, as, for example, posting scantily-clad pinups unless there is a bona fide reason for it, such as the shop designs swimwear or lingerie.