Quid Pro Quo

Quid Pro Quo is a Latin phrase meaning “something for something.” It refers to a mutual exchange where one thing is given in return for another. This concept is often used in legal contexts, particularly in contracts and employment law, to describe a situation where one party provides a benefit to another in exchange for a specific action or service.

For example, in a workplace setting, an employee may receive a promotion in exchange for agreEINg to take on additional responsibilities. In legal terms, a quid pro quo arrangement could also be seen in cases of sexual harassment, where an employer offers job benefits in exchange for sexual favors.

Notable cases include:

• In Meritor Savings Bank v. Vinson (1986), the U.S. Supreme Court recognized that a quid pro quo harassment occurs when submission to sexual advances is made a condition of employment.
• In Faragher v. City of Boca Raton (1998), the Court further clarified that employers can be held liable for quid pro quo harassment if they knew or should have known about the conduct.