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Sexual harassment within the workplace
Case studies on sexual harassment in the workplace
Sexual harassment in the work environment essay
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Recommended: Sexual harassment within the workplace
The main purpose of this memo is to introduce the company’s sexual harassment policy. This memo will define sexual harassment, DEFINTION OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT: Sexual Harassment is a prohibited conduct of inappropriate behavior in which an individual makes unwelcome sexual favors, requests, or any other form of verbal or physical acts in a sexual nature in which it creates a hostile environment to work in. any form of harassment that hinders or interferes with an employee’s work should be taken seriously and will not be tolerated. Sexual Harassment can occur and affects in the scope of any line of position. This includes: supervisors, managers, and all employees of MedTech Software Company. Sexual Harassment can come in many forms. …show more content…
• The victim does not have to be the person harassed but could be anyone affected by the offensive conduct. • Unlawful sexual harassment may occur without economic injury to or discharge of the victim. • The harasser 's conduct must be unwelcome. YOUR RIGHTS AS AN EMPLOYEE: Sexual Harassment is a form of sex discrimination that violates the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. By federal law, you are protected by any form of harassment or discrimination in the workplace. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) takes any complaint that has been filed with the EEOC and looks at a case as a whole. The determination is based off facts of the incident. It’s important for every employee at MedTech to understand our rights as an employee for more information check the EEOC website at https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/statutes/titlevii.cfm RESPONSIBILITIES: All MedTech Supervisors are expected to: 1) Be aware of any sexual harassment taking place in the workplace and immediately taking action. 2) Enforce this policy for a harassment free work environment. 3) Take appropriate action in any sexual harassment
Sexual harassment by definition is based on conduct of a sexual nature. An article on ENotes.com describes sexual harassment as;
The “quid pro quo” harassment culprit is a boss or supervisor that gives certain employees below them benefits if they enter into a sexual relationship, or grant sexual favors to the boss/supervisor (Shaw, p.444). This form of sexual harassment is hard to argue, the suppressor is clearly taking advantage of the subordinate, because the subordinate is at risk for losing their job if they don’t participate.
Sexual harassment is defined by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature” (EEOC). In many cases, these can be hostile, aggressive, and violent. However, harassment does not have to be overtly sexual to be unlawful. It can include repeated offensive comments and verbal abuse. When sexual harassment occurs in the workplace, it can create an intimidating situation from which the victim feels he or she cannot escape.
Roberts, Barry S. and Richard A. Mann. ?Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: A Primer.? n.pag. On-line. Internet. 5 Dec 2000. Available WWW:
The EEOC has also stated that a victim of sexual harassment need not say anything to any supervisor. Co-workers and supervisors are liable if any one kn...
8. Give the main legal reason why every company should have a valid written policy against sexual harassment (besides the fact it is the "right" thing to do.)
According to Webster’s online dictionary, it is believed that the phrase “sexual harassment” was coined at Cornell University in 1974 ("Sexual harassment," 2011). The phrase wasn’t, however, really used in common language until the testimony of Anita Hill against Clarence Thomas in 1991. Sexual harassment can take many different shapes and forms. According to a Fox News article, the sexual harassment claims made by men have increased twofold in the last twenty years ("Sexual harassment claims," 2010). Because sexual harassment is illegal both on a federal and state level in many states, there are steps that an individual and employer should take to prevent sexual harassment.
The increase of women in the workforce is only about 30 years old. Prior to that time, the majority of women were homemakers and were not in the workforce in significant numbers. Therefore workplace sexual harassment did not gain the attention of media, lawmakers, labor unions, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and now researchers until recently. However the challenges for females to deal with this type of harassment has been going on since the first day they have entered the workforce! “Researchers estimate that approximately 40% of women have experienced some form of sexual harassment while at work” (Menendez, Snyder, Scherer, & Fisher, 2012, p. 137). Now, Corporate America has not completely ignored this problem within their organizations and have developed policies, educated managers and supervisors with complying with Title VII, Civil Rights Act of 1964, conducted their own research on the issue and provided training, and finally introduced sexual harassment reporting procedures within their organizations. However, according to (McDonald, Graham, & Martin, 2010, p.168) “these responses have worked only in limited ways in drawing attention to how individual behavior reinforces gendered workplace structures and are partly instigated to protect and shield organizations against litigation”. There have been many studies indicating that sexual harassment is widespread
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).
Each year many people first become aware of sexual harassment when they are harassed in the workplace. Today in the United States there still seems to be a need for general information about sexual harassment. Many people are unaware of exactly what sexual harassment is, how it affects its victims, where it happens, and what to do if it happens to them. There are many laws that protect people from sexual harassment and provide them with information about what to do if you should ever be in this situation (Wyatt, 2000).
Clark, C. S. (1991, August 9). Sexual harassment. CQ Researcher, 1, 537-560. Retrieved from http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher
Sexual Harassment is a growing problem in today's workplace. The signs and causes of harassment are not always easy to detect. There are a growing number of cases through statistics and actual cases that’s been headlined in news rep...
Sexual harassment does not refer to occasional compliments of a socially acceptable nature, but, refers to behavior that is not welcome, which is personally offensive, which lowers morale which, therefore, interferes with work effectiveness. It should be the policy of all organizations to promptly investigate and, when necessary, resolve problems, complaints, or situations which interfere with their effort to provide freedom from harassment. The organization is ethically responsible for creating a work environment of equal opportunity that protects the safety, health and welfare of its employees. Such conduct, whether committed by supervisors or non-supervisory personnel should be specifically prohibited.
Sexual harassment in the workplace has been a huge problem in recent history. It can happen to anyone, and it can happen everywhere. It can affect all types of races, genders and ages. Statistics today show that more and more sexual harassment has become an issue due to the large number of cases presented. Mainstream media becomes consumed covering sexual harassment because of the high-profile cases.
In today’s workplace, sexual harassment is a growing problem. The legal definition of sexual harassment is any unwelcome sexual advance or conduct on the job that creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment. Another definition is the making of unwanted and offensive sexual advances or of sexually offensive remarks or acts, especially by one in a superior or supervisory position. Women and men of all ages, backgrounds, races and experience are harassed on the job. Sexual harassment encountered in workplaces is a hazard across the world that reduces the quality of working life, jeopardizes the well-being of women and men, undermines gender equality and imposes costs on firms and organizations.