The end of a voluntary love affair, especially where one party does not want the relationship to end, can often result in sexual harassment claims.

Should the spurned party try to continue the relationship, the other employee might have a hostile work environment claim.

While judges recognize that anger at the end of a voluntary relationship can give rise to a party’s unfounded claim that it was sexual harassment that started the relationship, it becomes a question of proof. Agencies and courts consider the parties’ testimony, and the facts and circumstances as a whole, in determining whether the original advances were unwelcome or if the conduct after the relationship constituted harassment.

(Reviewed 9-08)