Sexual Harassment and Workplace Policies

2020 Words5 Pages

In our society sexual harassment has been in the workplace for years. The use of sexual harassment in the workplace has been remembered best as a weapon used to keep women in their place which would cause them to forfeit promotions within their organizations. It was once believed that women were the only victims but the shift is now changing men are also reporting that they are also victims of sexual harassment on the job. In 1964 the Civil Rights Act was passed and employers began to recognize that they were liable for two types of sexual harassment. The first kind of harassment is Quid pro quo when a supervisor offers the employee sexual advances in order to get or keep a job, and also this harassment is used to determined if an individual will get a promotion. The second form of harassment is when supervisors or coworkers make working conditions hostile and unbearable. In both instances the legal ramification will cost an organization to suffer a financial loss in productivity, time, and money. Throughout this research my finding is that it's to the company's best interest to provide a clear policy on sexual harassment.

The issue of sexual harassment has been encountered by women and it has been the unspoken tabu for many years. Sexual harassment wasn?t uncommon in the workplace women were known to be sexually harassed. Sexual harassment was common by male coworkers and supervisors. As women joined the workforce that was dominated by men sexual harassment was on the rise. In 1991 women began to speak out publicly regarding sexual harassment issues and much of this progress was due to Professor Anita Hill and Judge Clearance Thomas hearing.

Sexual harassment of women has been widely practiced but unfortunately ignored be...

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...ty of administrators to take sexual harassment in the workplace as a serious problem within the company. The Human Resource Department should provide all staff

with a clearly written company policy on sexual harassment. When staff members abide by the rules and understand the company policy, that sexual harassment behaviors are unacceptable. The organization productivity and employees morale will increase which would help make the company more effective and efficient.

Los Angeles County Office of Education Sexual Harassment Policy

Reference

3. Dresang, Dennis (1999), Public Personnel Management and Public Policy

Wesley Longman Inc.

Mackinnon, Catherine (1979), Sexual Harassment of Working Women

New Haven & London Press

Repa, Barbara (1999), Avoid Employee Lawsuits

Nolo.com

Los Angeles County Office of Education Sexual Harassment Policy

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