--- title: "Update: EEOC Harassment Guidance | May 2024" description: Learn about the updated Harassment Guidance from the EEOC released May 2024. 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Understanding these changes can help ensure your workplace remains compliant and a safe environment for all employees. Here are the key points from the new EEOC guidance: 1. ### **When does harassing conduct violate the law?** Harassment violates the law when it's based on a protected characteristic (race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, or genetic information) and it affects employment decisions or creates a hostile work environment. 2. ### **Does all harassing conduct linked to a protected characteristic violate EEO laws?** No. It must either affect employment conditions (like firing or demotion) or create a hostile work environment. 3. ### **What is a “hostile work environment”?** It's when harassing conduct is so severe or frequent that it makes a reasonable person’s work environment abusive. 4. ### **Examples of harassing conduct:** - Ethnic, racial, or sex-based slurs. - Offensive jokes or materials. - Threats or intimidation based on religion. - Sharing pornography or offensive depictions. - Stereotypical comments about older workers. - Mocking disabilities or accents. - Intrusive questions about personal characteristics. - Unwanted physical contact or sexual gestures. - Threatening job security for sexual favors. 5. ### **Steps employers can take to prevent harassment:** - Have a clear, easy-to-understand anti-harassment policy. - Provide multiple reporting options for potential harassment. - Train all employees on anti-harassment policies and complaint procedures. - Ensure the policy is consistently followed and effective. 6. ### **Is firing the harasser required by law?** No. Employers should take appropriate corrective action to stop and prevent harassment, which could include counseling, warnings, training, suspension, reassignment, or termination. We know keeping up with these guidelines can be challenging. That’s why we’re here to help. Our HR consulting services can ensure your policies are up to date and your supervisors are well-trained to handle these issues effectively. Let's chat about how we can support you in creating a safe and compliant workplace. Feel free to reply to this email or give us a call. **Need help with a harassment investigation or making sure you have the right workplace policies?** Contact our team today for expert guidance, support, and training on how to handle these situations effectively. #### **THE DAILY THREAD** The best tips on running a business delivered to your inbox.   ### Most Popular [![Creative Workplace Perks That Boost Engagement](https://blog.threadhcm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/party.webp?width=300&name=party.webp) Creative Workplace Perks That Boost Engagement May 5, 2025](https://blog.threadhcm.com/workplace-perks) [![A Heavyweight in Benefits](https://blog.threadhcm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Employee%20Engagement/Female%20doctor%20hand%20holding%20syringe%20with%20blue%20background%20and%20charts.jpeg?width=300&name=Female%20doctor%20hand%20holding%20syringe%20with%20blue%20background%20and%20charts.jpeg) A Heavyweight in Benefits March 20, 2025](https://blog.threadhcm.com/weight-loss-drugs) [![Mental health challenges in the workplace](https://blog.threadhcm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/landscape-mental-health.jpg?width=300&name=landscape-mental-health.jpg) Mental health challenges in the workplace November 29, 2024](https://blog.threadhcm.com/mental-health-in-the-workplace) ### Most Recent [![](https://blog.threadhcm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/offers.threadhcm.comtime-demo.jpg?width=100&height=100&name=offers.threadhcm.comtime-demo.jpg) Georgia Paid Time Off Laws (PTO) in 2026: A Guide June 22, 2026](https://blog.threadhcm.com/georgia-pto-laws) [![](https://blog.threadhcm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/gas-price-pump-mileage.png?width=100&height=100&name=gas-price-pump-mileage.png) IRS Standard Mileage Rates: Calculating Mileage Rates May 12, 2026](https://blog.threadhcm.com/irs-standard-mileage-rate) [![](https://blog.threadhcm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Downtown%20Atlanta%2c%20Georgia%2c%20USA%20skyline..jpeg?width=100&height=100&name=Downtown%20Atlanta,%20Georgia,%20USA%20skyline..jpeg) An Overview: Minimum Wage in Georgia April 15, 2026](https://blog.threadhcm.com/georgia-minimum-wage) [![](https://blog.threadhcm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/paycheck-checkup-1024x416.webp?width=100&height=100&name=paycheck-checkup-1024x416.webp) A Guide to Understanding Gross Pay vs Net Pay March 23, 2026](https://blog.threadhcm.com/gross-pay-vs-net-pay) [![](https://blog.threadhcm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Savannah%2c%20Georgia%2c%20USA%20oak%20tree%20lined%20road%20at%20historic%20Wormsloe%20Plantation..jpeg?width=100&height=100&name=Savannah,%20Georgia,%20USA%20oak%20tree%20lined%20road%20at%20historic%20Wormsloe%20Plantation..jpeg) Understanding Georgia’s Noncompete Laws January 19, 2026](https://blog.threadhcm.com/noncompete-laws-georgia) - ### Previous Post The Basic Steps of a Harassment Investigation - ### Next Post Prescription Drug Data Collection Reporting Federal Update ### Recommended For You [![Georgia Paid Time Off Laws (PTO) in 2026: A Guide](https://blog.threadhcm.com/hubfs/offers.threadhcm.comtime-demo.jpg)](https://blog.threadhcm.com/georgia-pto-laws) ### Georgia Paid Time Off Laws (PTO) in 2026: A Guide ![Barbara Collins](https://blog.threadhcm.com/hubfs/headshot_circle.gif) [Barbara Collins](https://blog.threadhcm.com/author/barbara-collins) June 22, 2026 [![IRS Standard Mileage Rates: Calculating Mileage Rates](https://blog.threadhcm.com/hubfs/gas-price-pump-mileage.png)](https://blog.threadhcm.com/irs-standard-mileage-rate) ### IRS Standard Mileage Rates: Calculating Mileage Rates ![Barbara Collins](https://blog.threadhcm.com/hubfs/headshot_circle.gif) [Barbara Collins](https://blog.threadhcm.com/author/barbara-collins) May 12, 2026 [![An Overview: Minimum Wage in Georgia](https://blog.threadhcm.com/hubfs/Downtown%20Atlanta%2c%20Georgia%2c%20USA%20skyline..jpeg)](https://blog.threadhcm.com/georgia-minimum-wage) ### An Overview: Minimum Wage in Georgia ![Barbara Collins](https://blog.threadhcm.com/hubfs/headshot_circle.gif) [Barbara Collins](https://blog.threadhcm.com/author/barbara-collins) April 15, 2026 #### Get In Touch 12640 Crabapple Rd., Suite 340 Milton, GA 30004 - [678-366-3447](tel:+1-678-366-3447) - [info@threadhcm.com](mailto:info@threadhcm.com) - - - - [Applicant Tracking](https://threadhcm.com/applicant-tracking/) - [Benefits Enrollment](https://threadhcm.com/benefits/) - [Employee Experience](https://threadhcm.com/employee-experience/) - [Human Resources](https://threadhcm.com/human-resources/) - [Learning Management](https://threadhcm.com/learning-management-system/) - [Payroll](https://threadhcm.com/payroll/) - [Predictive People Analytics](https://threadhcm.com/predictive-people-analytics/) - [Time](https://threadhcm.com/time/) #### Want to Partner? 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