Sexual Harassment and the Atmosphere of the Laboratory

Sexual Harassment and the Atmosphere of the Laboratory

Sexual harassment and discrimination are still common at research universities despite of the efforts made by universities to stop such related issues. Universities have taken several measures to train the faculty for recognizing sexual harassment and that the department should keep the records and complaints against professors from students and fellow faculty members. Although sexual harassment can no longer be regarded as science misconduct it is still illegal at research institutes. However, the force of law is weakened by several factors, and the professors can sexually harass someone and remain a good scientist while a good female scientist who complains of sexual harassment is related against will likely find that her carrier is derailed.

Former Harvard University President, Larry Summers, once made a public remark that the women's failure to advance in sciences maybe that they are still mistreated on the job. Article written by Ellen Sekreta examines the sexual harassment is both endemic to those institutions and that response is inadequate. She further investigated how sexual harassments are applied to educational institutions and various definitions and models of sexual harassment. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it illegal "to fail or refuse to hire or to discharge any individual, or otherwise to discriminate against any individual with respect to his compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of such individual's race, color, religion, sex, or national origin ... ." Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when (1) submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment, (2) submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individual, or (3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment. Education institutions that receive federal funds must adopt formal grievance procedures and designate a person who is responsible for making sure that provisions in the law are carried out. Nobody should be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits or subject of discrimination on the basis of sex. According to Catherine MacKinnon, American feminist, scholar, lawyer and teacher, sexual harassment is the unwanted imposition of sexual requirements in the context of a relationship of unequal power.