quid pro quo
Quid pro quo is Latin for “in exchange for” or “this for that.”
In the context of discrimination, quid pro quo is a type of sexual harassment under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and employment regulations. Quid pro quo sexual harassment arises when an employee suffers a tangible adverse action because of their refusal to submit to the sexual demands of a superior. A tangible adverse action is one that constitutes a significant change in employment status (such as hiring, failing to promote, reassignment with significantly different responsibilities, or termination) that, generally, only a person acting with the authority of the company can cause. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, § 703(a)(1), as amended, is codified at 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2(a)(1).
In the context of bribery, a quid pro quo is the specific intent to give or receive something of value in exchange for some future action that the public official will take (and may already have determined to take), or for a past act that they have already taken. See: 18 U.S.C. § 201. Something "of value" can include a campaign contribution, so long as that contribution was received in exchange for an official act. The official’s intent to exchange official acts for contributions may be based on the official’s words, conduct, actions, and all other surrounding circumstances disclosed by the evidence and the rational or logical inferences that may be drawn from them.
[Last reviewed in July of 2026 by the Wex Definitions Team]
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