Sexual Harassment
Sexual Harassment
BUS 311
Instructor Leah Westerman
September 24, 2012
Sexual Harassment Sexual harassment in the workplace is nothing new. As long as there have been co-workers, sexual harassment has existed. Over the years though, workplaces have become more diversified, and women began to rise to positions of power. With these changes, sexual harassment came to be something that was not only unacceptable, but in most cases, illegal. According to Liuzzo, (2013), “Sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual attention, whether verbal or physical, that affects an employee’s job condition or creates a hostile working environment” (Liuzzo, 2013). This not only applies to co-workers of the opposite sex, but same sex co-workers as well. There are several forms of sexual harassment, including, but not limited to the following: * Verbal or written comments about someone’s body, appearance or style of dress. Repeatedly asking someone out on a date or making unwanted sexual advances, spreading rumors about someone or threatening a person. * Physical contact including inappropriate touching or stroking, or blocking a person’s movement. * Nonverbal actions such as derogatory gestures or looking up and down a person’s body. * Visuals such as pictures, posters or screen savers that are sexual in nature (equalrights.org, 2012). * Turning work discussions sexual. * Asking someone personal questions about their sex life. * Referring to an adult person as honey, babe, etc. * Giving a coworker gifts. * Whistling or cat calling at someone. * Actual or attempted rape or sexual assault (un.org, 2012).
Sexual harassment can also be non-sexual if you are a female in an all male environment, or male in an all female environment. For example, if you are a male and you work in a ladies’ clothing store, and your lunch is continually hidden, that can be sexual harassment (equalrights.org, 2012).
When identifying sexual harassment,
BUS 311
Instructor Leah Westerman
September 24, 2012
Sexual Harassment Sexual harassment in the workplace is nothing new. As long as there have been co-workers, sexual harassment has existed. Over the years though, workplaces have become more diversified, and women began to rise to positions of power. With these changes, sexual harassment came to be something that was not only unacceptable, but in most cases, illegal. According to Liuzzo, (2013), “Sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual attention, whether verbal or physical, that affects an employee’s job condition or creates a hostile working environment” (Liuzzo, 2013). This not only applies to co-workers of the opposite sex, but same sex co-workers as well. There are several forms of sexual harassment, including, but not limited to the following: * Verbal or written comments about someone’s body, appearance or style of dress. Repeatedly asking someone out on a date or making unwanted sexual advances, spreading rumors about someone or threatening a person. * Physical contact including inappropriate touching or stroking, or blocking a person’s movement. * Nonverbal actions such as derogatory gestures or looking up and down a person’s body. * Visuals such as pictures, posters or screen savers that are sexual in nature (equalrights.org, 2012). * Turning work discussions sexual. * Asking someone personal questions about their sex life. * Referring to an adult person as honey, babe, etc. * Giving a coworker gifts. * Whistling or cat calling at someone. * Actual or attempted rape or sexual assault (un.org, 2012).
Sexual harassment can also be non-sexual if you are a female in an all male environment, or male in an all female environment. For example, if you are a male and you work in a ladies’ clothing store, and your lunch is continually hidden, that can be sexual harassment (equalrights.org, 2012).
When identifying sexual harassment,
References: Cruet, Carimercy; Graells, Jessica; Cabral, Stephanie; Lane, Samuel. Allied Academies International Conference. Academy of Legal, Ethical and Regulatory Issues. Proceedings14. 1 (2010): 16-20. Eeoc.gov, 2012, Sexual Harassment. Retrieved from: http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/sexual_harassment.cfm Equalrights.org, 2012, Know Your Rights, Sexual Harassment at Work. Retrieved from: http://www.equalrights.org/publications/kyr/shwork.asp Fabio, Michelle, 2006, Five Biggest Sexual Harassment Cases. Retrieved from: http://www.legalzoom.com/legal-headlines/corporate-lawsuits/five-biggest-sexual-harassment-cases Figueroa, Alissa, 2010, Workplace Harassment: Same Sex Harassment Cases are on the Rise. Retrieved from: http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/new-economy/2010/0721/Workplace-harassment-Same-sex-sexual-harassment-cases-are-on-the-rise Liuzzo, A. L. (2013). Essentials of Business Law (8th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Higher Education. ISBN: 9780073511856 Un.org, 2012, What is Sexual Harassment? Retrieved from: http://www.un.org/womenwatch/osagi/pdf/whatissh.pdf