Harrassment or Discrimination

Do you own stock in First American? It has had a nice run as of late but I wonder if it is in for a rocky time.

Long story short. A friend works there. She is dating a co-worker who had essentially the same job she had. This co-worker was promoted to be a supervisor.....of my friend. Essentially everyone knew of this relationship when the promotion occurred although it is possible that management was unaware.

Recently my friend was given an award by her supervisor that gave her a free trip. She is taking the supervisor on the trip with her. For those of you keeping score at home...employee is screwing boss, boss gives employee bonus award, employee shares award with boss. It should be noted that there is no stated basis for awarding the reward, it goes to who management selects.

It is no longer possible for management to claim they are unaware of this relationship as most of them were somehow on this trip as well.

It is clearly stated in the employee handbook that supervisors can not have personal relationships with those reporting to them.

How do you think all my friends co-workers feel about this situation? They are a wee bit upset. My question is...Is this sexual harrasment or simply sexual discrimination?

Doesn't really matter does it? Some enterprising employee could easily contact a lawyer (probably one of the ones I already trashed) and file a lawsuit on behalf of everyone in the department. They won't get millions but $10K each to someone who resigns for a new job still sounds pretty good.

I am further amazed by how many people have essentially laid their jobs on the line by turning a blind eye. From what I hear I think the Supervisor, the supervisor's manager and that manager's manager have got to be aware of this and thus all subject to immediate termination with cause if someone makes a stink.