U.S. high court looks at sex harassment

WASHINGTON, March 31 (UPI) -- The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday on whether an employer is liable if a supervisor sexually harasses an employee so that he or she has to resign.

In a 1998 case, a high court majority said an employer can be held liable in a suit if a supervisor's sexual harassment results in a "tangible employment action" against the employee.

In the current case involving the Pennsylvania state police, the justices are being asked to decide if sexual harassment to the point of resignation is equivalent to a "tangible employment action."

If it is, the employer is liable.

The case was brought by Nancy Drew Suders, who was employed by the state police from March to August 1998. She said she was harassed, but quit when her supervisors set her up for a false theft accusation.

When a federal appeals court ruled her allegedly forced resignation was equivalent to an employment action, the state police asked the Supreme Court for review.