Sexual Harassment

1162 Words3 Pages

Sexual harassment is so ordinary in the workforce that frequently we fail to even recognize harassing behavior as immoral. This is because so many of us--women and men alike--have become desensitized to offensive behaviors. Sexual harassment in any form is unacceptable behavior and should not be tolerated by anyone. It undermines our ability to study, to work, and to feel like effective, empowered people in the world. The U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission describes sexual harassment as a form of gender discrimination that is in violation of the Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Undesirable sexual advances, request for sexual favors, and further verbal and physical conduct of a sexual nature constitutes sexual harassment, when compliance to or refusal of this behavior explicitly or implicitly affects an individual employment (EEOC). According to a recent study, the causes of sexual harassment in the workforce can be exceedingly difficult due to the fact that employee’s are dependent on each other for team work and support, and are reliant on their supervisor’s approval for time off and career advancement. Supervisors and employers take advantage of their supremacy they have over their employees. Such closeness and intensity can distort the professional boundaries which lead people to cross over the line. The report also reported that Politics can be a catalyst, and problems caused by poor management, workplace bullying, frustration, and job/financial insecurity which creates a hostile environments. Furthermore, personal problems can also play a factor, and sexual harassment can be a symptom of the effects of life traumas, such as divorce, or death of a spouse or child (Sexual Harassment in the Workplace). Sexu... ... middle of paper ... ...cfm Fisherman, L. (2011, January 4). The Houston Employment Blog. Retrieved March 15, 2011, from The Houston Employment Blog: http://www.houstoemploymentlawsblog.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-tb.cgi/19383 Fisherman, L. (2011, February 4). The Houston Employment Law Blog. Retrieved March 15, 2011, from The Houston Employment Law Blog: http://houstonemploymentlawsblog.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-tb.cgi/20133 Sexual Harassment Charges. (n.d.). Retrieved March 15, 2011, from U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: http://www1.eeoc.gov//eeoc/statistics/enforcement/sexual_harassment.cfm Sexual Harassment in the Workplace. (n.d.). Retrieved March 15, 2011, from Sexual Harassment Support: http://www.sexualharassmentsupport.org/SHworkplace.html Tahmincioglu, E. (2007, July 10). Male Sexual Harassment is not a joke. Retrieved March 16, 2011, from MSNBC: http://www.msnbc.msn.com

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