HomeEmployees ProductivitySexual Harassment in the Workplace – How to Recognize and Prevent It?

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace – How to Recognize and Prevent It?

There is not any surprise that sexual harassment has turned out to be a global issue. Neither any particular country is to be blamed for gender discrimination and female harassment at work nor any specific industry nor social demographic. It is an issue that affects almost everyone. From the developed United States to underdeveloped Asian countries, workplace bullying and sexual harassment have affected many.

As more and more women are entering the workforce across the world, myriad sexual harassment cases have come to sight in the past fifteen years. According to a poll by MSN, more than 30 percent of people in the United States report to having been sexually harassed at the workplace. For women, the circumstances are more awful. More than 45 percent of women in the United States admit that they have been sexually harassed at work. Nearly half of the women between the ages of 30 and 44 reported experiencing workplace harassment. Around 47 percent of women between the ages of 45 and 64 said that they were sexually harassed at work. More than 41 percent of the younger women aging 18 to 20 reported that they have been sexually harassed at work. The 40 percent of the women of age 65 and older said they were harassed at work. It is not just women who get affected by workplace sexual harassment. Almost 15 percent of men said that they were sexually harassed at work.

What is Sexual Harassment?

Sexual harassment can be explained as bullying of a sexual nature, including uninvited sexual advances, verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature, request for sexual favor, and unsolicited or incorrect assurance of incentive in return of sexual favor. Sexual harassment is illegal in all its forms. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in the United States, It is unlawful to harass a person, who is an applicant or employer, based on that person’s sex.

The definition of sexual harassment is dissimilar in different jurisdictions. Generally, simple mocking, offhand comments, and slightly isolated occurrences may not be considered harassment. Sexual harassment is frequent or severe harassment by the manager, co-worker, employer, or non-employee such as a client or vendor that creates a hostile work environment and leads to confrontational employment decisions such as the victim’s downgrading, dismissal, or resignation. However, the understanding of sexual harassment varies from culture to culture.

How to Recognize Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is not always obvious. In all cases, it can be simple to find out if sexual harassment is happening to you or around you. While many are of the view that sexual harassment is physical harassment of a sexual nature, it does not have to be of a sexual nature. If a person makes offensive remarks about someone’s sex, it can also be considered as sexual harassment.

You must know when an issue can be taken to court. In some courts, something is harassment which would be considered unwelcome and sexual by a reasonable person. While some other courts determined that something is harassment only when it is harassing for a reasonable woman in case of a female victim. To help you find out if you or someone around you is being sexually harassed, we have compiled here the signs of sexual harassment in the workplace.

Sexual behavior that makes you uncomfortable

Unwanted and inappropriate physical touch is the first sign of sexual harassment. For instance, if someone stands a bit too close and makes you feel uncomfortable, talks in a way that feels a little too personal, stares, or makes comments about your body, appearance, or clothing, or asks about your personal life or shares their own intimate details, and keeps trying to meet you alone or outside of work – these are all signs to pay attention to regarding inappropriate behavior harassment. The oppressor makes you uncomfortable and enjoys his power over you.

You are unable to stop it

If you have tried to stop the oppressor many times, indicating that you dislike the behavior, but that person has not changed, it is a clear indicator that you are being sexually harassed. While simple teasing or infrequent incidents that make you uncomfortable may not be serious enough to be illegal, the severe or frequent harassing behavior that creates an offensive work environment and hinders your success is illegal. If you feel that you cannot stop such behavior or are being pressured to go along with it, you need to take the bold step against the scoundrels.

You are afraid of upshots if you report harassment

You may not have enough information on channels for reporting sexual harassment or you may think that they won’t believe you. In most cases, the victim may not be in a position to handle the matter on its own. Also, the management ignores the issues and forces you to accept the things as they are. Your intention may not be to put someone in trouble and what you only want is to stop that annoying behavior. Many cases have been seen where the person reporting sexual harassment is criticized and declared a troublemaker. All these are signs that something really very bad is happening to you.

Sexual Harassment vs. Non-Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is not just limited to unwelcome advances and inappropriate physical behavior. Here are examples of sexual harassment in the workplace that can help you differentiate between sexual and non-sexual harassment.

  • Sharing sexually explicit photos or videos with co-workers
  • Sending sexually suggestive emails, notes, or letters
  • Putting sexually explicit photos or posters on view in the workplace
  • Telling vulgar jokes or sexual stories
  • Making sexual gestures
  • Gazing in an offensive or sexually suggestive manner
  • Making sexual or offensive comments on body parts, appearance or clothing
  • Asking sexual questions about someone’s sexual history or sexual orientation
  • Unwanted physical touch, including patting, rubbing, pinching, or any other unwelcome or inappropriate physical contact

That is not all! Any sexual action or behavior that creates a hostile work environment can be considered sexual harassment. On the other hand, adopting inappropriate behavior with a co-worker based on religion, race, color or gender can be considered as non-sexual harassment. Nonsexual harassment should be dealt with in the same way you would deal with sexual harassment. Its examples are:

  • Making negative or offensive comments about someone’s religion, color or ethnic traits
  • Trying to convert someone to a certain religion
  • Using nicknames, racist slangs or phrases
  • Making negative comments about someone’s physical or mental disability
  • Making insulting age-related comments

Non-sexual harassment is not limited to these examples. Any threatening, insulting or discriminatory behavior, action or comment that upsets workplace environment can be considered as non-sexual harassment.

How to Prevent Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

If you are being sexually harassed at work, keep in mind that you are not alone. Employers should be responsible for dealing with workplace bullying by tracking down cyber bullies in a workstation. You have several options and supporters helping you to take a step against the harasser

Bring Everything on Paper

Before you present your case somewhere, make sure you document everything. Write down everything, such as your experience with the harasser: time, date, location, details, and witnesses. Also, make a report of your performance and productivity as it can be helpful during and after reporting sexual harassment.

Consult Employee Policies and File Complaints

If your company has a sexual harassment policy, follow it. Report the issue to your supervisor, the human resource department, or any other department responsible for dealing with workplace bullying or sexual harassment. Bring the complaint against the harasser in writing, and don’t forget to add the details of the harassment in your complaint to make the workplace harassment-free.

Build a Support System

Inform your family, friends, or co-workers about the things you are experiencing at work. Take the people around you in confidence. Experiencing sexual harassment can be distressing during and after reporting the incident, and you will need your support system to be encouraged in what you are doing. They will boost you up and help you combat the situation whether or not you take further action against the harasser.

Enforcement Agencies Contact Law

If your company does not have a policy regarding sexual harassment or your managers downplay your issue, you have the option to contact law enforcement agencies. You can report the issue to the Police. Also, various non-profit organizations provide guidance and support against bullies. You can file a sexual harassment complaint with a government agency within a certain period.

The Bottom Line

Sexual harassment in the workplace does not only affect the victim, but it can also have a negative influence on co-workers, employers, and clientele. Every business must have a workplace bullying and sexual harassment policy to deal with the harassers. However, if the company fails to safeguard its workers from being a victims of sexual harassment, there are various communities and non-governmental organizations that offer support to the victims of bullying. Be confident and cautious, and surround yourself with positive people who can better guide you and be your support.

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