Employer’s liability for acts of sexual harassment committed by their agents under U.S. Law
elements for the construction of solutions in the Brazilian legal system
Keywords:
Sexual harassment, Discrimination, Employer’s liability, U.S. Law, ILO Convention 190Abstract
This study examines employer liability in both civil and labor spheres for acts of sexual harassment committed by their agents. In Brazil, sexual harassment is addressed in the Criminal Code, and recent labor legislation has introduced procedural measures on the matter, but the scope of employer liability remains undefined. Criminal prosecution alone may fail to provide compensation for victims. Civil and labor liability, although not expressly regulated by statute, constitute a constitutional imperative aimed at protecting victims and preventing future misconduct. By contrast, U.S. law has developed extensive case law on employer liability for harassment committed by employees and agents. The research question is thus formulated: to what extent can U.S. law contribute to shaping civil and labor liability of employers in Brazil for acts of sexual harassment perpetrated by their agents? The central argument advanced is that liability in Brazil should be tied to the employer’s duty of due diligence in adopting and enforcing internal policies for the prevention and remediation of sexual harassment, in line with ILO Convention n. 190, thereby reinforcing efforts to combat sexual harassment and other forms of gender-based violence.
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