Reply #7: It's harassment when it's unwanted.

[Xithras]

Or when it's tied to employment reviews, promotions, etc.

It's perfectly OK for a manager and subordinate to date when they both want it. It's even OK for a manager to ask a subordinate out, when the subordinate isn't interested...if they do it ONCE and drop it when the subordinate says NO.

It becomes a problem when the supervisor won't take NO for an answer, and keeps pursuing or exerts pressure on an employee who isn't interested.

Even consensual relationships can be risky though. People break up, and if it ends badly, a mere accusation can end a career.