Washington Administrative Code
Title 162 - Human Rights Commission
Chapter 162-32 - Sexual orientation and gender identity
Section 162-32-040 - Harassment

Universal Citation: WA Admin Code 162-32-040

Current through Register Vol. 24-06, March 15, 2024

(1) Harassment. Harassment based on an individual's sexual orientation or gender expression or gender identity is prohibited. Sexual orientation or gender expression or gender identity harassment in employment is offensive and unwelcome behavior serious enough to affect the terms and conditions of employment and which occurred because of an individual's sexual orientation or gender expression or gender identity, and can be imputed to the employer.

(2) Prohibited conduct. Prohibited conduct may include, but is not limited to, the following:

(a) Asking unwelcome personal questions about an individual's sexual orientation, gender expression or gender identity, transgender status, or sex assigned at birth;

(b) Intentionally causing distress to an individual by disclosing the individual's sexual orientation, gender expression or gender identity, transgender status, or sex assigned at birth against his or her wishes;

(c) Using offensive names, slurs, jokes, or terminology regarding an individual's sexual orientation or gender expression or gender identity;

(d) The deliberate misuse of an individual's preferred name, form of address, or gender-related pronoun (except on legally mandated documentation, if the individual has not officially obtained a name change);

(e) Posting offensive pictures or sending offensive electronic or other communications;

(f) Unwelcome physical conduct.

(3)Harassment in a place of public accommodation. Sexual orientation harassment or harassment based on gender expression or gender identity in a place of public accommodation is offensive and unwelcome behavior serious enough to alter the individual's experience at the place of public accommodation, or severe enough that the individual has no choice but to leave the place of public accommodation, which occurred because of the individual's sexual orientation or gender expression or gender identity, and can be imputed to the place of public accommodation. In schools, such harassment is offensive and unwelcome behavior serious enough to interfere with a child's access to educational opportunities, which occurred because of the child's sexual orientation or gender expression or gender identity, and can be imputed to the school.

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