Week 9 EOC: Sexual Harassment

"It is unlawful to harass a person (an applicant or employee) because of that person’s sex. Harassment can include “sexual harassment” or unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature."

 Sexual harassment has become much bigger than an action, it is now an action with legal consequences. It doesn't even have to be sexual but an offensive remark about a person's sex. Through the eyes of the law, it is equal. The harasser and the victim can be either a woman or a man or both can be the same sex. Through its definition it counts through the act itself. Sexual harassment causes emotional and physical reactions that deeply affect a person's life. In some cases, it can get so difficult for the victim that they can turn for the worse such as:

"Stress on personal relationships, fear/anxiety, debilitating depression, sleep/weight problems, alcohol or drug use, tarnished company reputation, and vulnerability to hostile confrontations."

Nowadays, we are educated clearly on how to react to these unwanted advances. The obvious one is to clearly say no and make it known that you reciprocate the advances. If it doesn't stop, it is advised that you document the harassment and get emotional support. It isn't a good or easy idea to handle the situation by yourself. Also document your work, another great backup when (if the advances still continue) would it in writing of the quality of your work that you perform in your job. Finally, when all else fails, file a complaint. The law will take care of the situation, and better in your favor when you have taken the right precautions.

"Although the statistics don't reveal whether the alleged harassers of men also are male, they typically are -- it's rare for a man to file charges against a female coworker or supervisor, says EEOC spokesman David Grinberg."

But here is something else to think about: what about when men are harassed? Surprisingly, there is a high percentage of men who have reported to have been sexually harassed at work. And most of who have be harassed by other male colleagues. Apparently, sexual harassment cases filed by men made up about 16.4% of the 17,717 charges back in 2010 compared to the low 8% from 1990. The work environment isn't the main factor for the difference in the results from both eras but the legal recognition of sexual harassment. The harassment can be the use of feminine pronouns and sexual taunts, stimulated sex acts, and threats of a sexually aggressive nature. Either way, men or women it has to be acknowledged and stopped. One has to file a complaint or take legal action against the harasser. It shouldn't be tolerated!

"We assume that the vast majority of the cases are not individuals who are necessarily gay or transgender, but they're in situations where there are these abrasive codes of masculinity to which men are expected to live up to," Wilchins says."

Source Links:
 http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/sexual_harassment.cfm
 http://www.un.org/womenwatch/osagi/pdf/whatissh.pdf
http://career-advice.monster.com/in-the-office/workplace-issues/more-men-report-sexual-harassment-at-work-hot-jobs/article.aspx