Harassment of any kind is inappropriate conduct in the workplace. Full stop. However, determining whether or not harassment rises to the level of illegal discrimination protected by federal and state law is a more nuanced issue. This determination depends on a variety of factors, including the size of a workplace, the type of conduct or speech at issue, and the protected classification of the employee alleging harassment or discrimination (along with the makeup of the greater workplace). 

On January 20, 2025, the Trump Administration signed the Executive Orders “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing” and “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government” with the effect of law. Both Executive Orders have a broad scope and include mandatory changes to decades of law surrounding discrimination while rolling back Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives for the federal and local governments.