Study paper from 2016 in the field of law - civil law / labor law, grade: 1.4, University of Applied Sciences for Public Administration Saxony, language: German.

Abstract: Sexual harassment was first politically discussed in Germany in the context of the "Busengrapscher Affair" in 1983. A member of the Bundestag from the Green Party had harassed female employees of the faction. Initially, the public was very reserved about this topic. Sexual harassment was understood as a rare, individual misconduct. This view was inexplicable in light of the research status since the 1980s, as it was known that sexual harassment is widespread and that the personal, health, and social consequences are so severe that legal measures also seem indispensable.

The first comprehensive regulation for the protection against sexual harassment in the workplace was the Employee Protection Act (BeschSchG), which came into force in June 1994. It granted rights to complain as well as claims for damages and compensation for those affected. To implement European directives, the BeschSchG was replaced in 2006 by the more comprehensive General Equal Treatment Act (AGG). The AGG prohibits any form of sexual harassment in the workplace and obliges the employer to prevent and intervene when incidents occur.

This paper first defines the term sexual harassment and explains its manifestations. It then presents the necessary responses and options for employers regarding sexual harassment in the workplace within the framework of the AGG, illuminated comprehensively with current case law.