What is the “reasonable person” standard in harassment cases?

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The “reasonable person” standard in harassment cases serves as an objective criterion for evaluating whether specific behavior would be considered harassing by the broader community. This standard removes subjective interpretations and assessments of individual feelings or experiences and instead asks how a typical, reasonable person would perceive the actions in question.

This approach helps establish a more consistent and fair benchmark that can be applied in legal and workplace environments. By focusing on what would be deemed inappropriate or offensive by an average individual, the standard aims to create clearer boundaries and expectations regarding acceptable behavior in workplace interactions.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the objective nature of the “reasonable person” standard. A subjective measure of personal feelings, for example, would allow individuals' unique perceptions or emotional reactions to dictate what constitutes harassment, leading to inconsistencies and potential misunderstandings. The standard applies broadly, focusing on general societal norms rather than individual experiences.

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