Harvey Weinstein: To Harass or not to harass, that is the question

The sexual harassment scandal involving Hollywood bigwig Harvey Weinstein is expanding by the moment.

More and more actresses including Oscar winners Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie as well as perhaps the most vocal of all Rose McGowan have brought and are continue to bring a myriad of claims which range from demands for massages and sex and even allegations of rape against Weinstein.

Weinstein occupied a position of power in the movie industry for decades and he appeared to have the clout to stand in the way of their success if he wanted to.

So if Weinstein made unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature with the trade off being obtaining a role in a Weinstein-produced film same would be a gold star case of "quid pro quo" (something for something) sexual harassment which is illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as well as under governing state laws in many jurisdictions.

The following video explains the differences between quid pro quo vs. hostile environment sexual harassment, the two forms of harassment which are prohibited by Title VII.

Additionally, please watch the following video for information on how to investigate Title VII complaints: