Federal law requires federal employers to investigate an allegation of sexual harassment within 10 days of the report date. Sometimes this might result in what is referred to as a management inquiry--someone outside the chain of command of the alleged victim and alleged harasser is appointed to conduct an investigation.

Harassment can be one of those situations that can take on so many different looks and shapes. It quite often starts out as something nebulous or seemingly harmless. But it can and does often result from very overt acts, especially if its sexually motivated.

Over time, even the slightest thing can set someone off where people used to be let things go mostly out of fear for being judged or mistreated. Employees are less tolerant of sexually overt behavior despite the fact that sexually suggestive stories, ads, TV programs, and songs are more visible and always in your face. Perhaps it's a question of simply "enough is enough."

Do you agree with this perception?