Final answer:
Quid pro quo sexual harassment involves conditioning workplace benefits on submitting to sexual advances and is illegal. It usually occurs between a subordinate and a superior, while a hostile work environment is another type of illegal sexual harassment.
Step-by-step explanation:
In general, the most obvious examples of sexual harassment involve quid pro quo harassment, meaning that a person makes a benefit (or punishment) contingent on an employee's submitting to (or rejecting) sexual advances. Quid pro quo, translating to 'something for something' in Latin, speaks to situations where work-related rewards are conditioned upon sexual favors. This type of harassment typically occurs between an employee and someone with higher organizational authority.
For instance, an employee might be offered a promotion, raise, or a favorable performance review in exchange for sexual compliance, or conversely, might face penalties or loss of opportunities for refusal. Hostile environment sexual harassment is another form, where pervasive unwelcome sexual conduct creates an intimidating and offensive workplace. It's important to note that this behavior not only violates most organizational policies but is also illegal under various statutes, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX in educational settings.