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Issues in sexual harassment
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Sexual harassment has a played a major role in society and has created a negative impact on those who have been victims or have engaged in the act. Sexual harassment, is typically define as unwanted sexual behaviors involving physical contact, gestures, remarks, and jokes. The topic of sexual harassment, has been one of the topics most talked about in the public along with involving certain cases in the work industry. The topics found about sexual harassment in the work industry, relate to two types of harassment, known as quid pro quo and hostile (Hendrix and Rueb et al., 1998). Quid pro quo is defined as a demand of sexual acts for employee benefits while hostile, is defined as inappropriate gestures, jokes, and remarks in the work environment (Hendrix and Rueb et al., 1998). Individuals with high powers, usually demand these sorts of acts. In 1998, Beugh and Page examined that individuals with a higher position, …show more content…
For instance, women are known to be more sensitive to anything around them and may interpret men's actions to improper behavior. For example, women identify harassment more than men and express more negative attitude towards social sexual behavior at work (Baugh & Page 1998). While men on the other hand, may take a friendly gesture as a sexual behavior towards them, causing confusion and further complications (Baugh & Page 1998). Both genders come to a conclusion that sexual harassment takes a role of threat, but men seem to be less sensitive and less likely to report it than women. As a result of sexual harassment acts, employees can be easily held liable to these acts causing the companies their unspoiled image and millions. In addition to that, many managers and supervisors are being informed and trained regarding sexual harassment, leading them to be more attuned about these situations in the work environment ( Baugh & Page
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.
Quid pro quo sexual harassment, also known as vicarious liability, is employment or employment benefits are given by a supervisor in exchange for unwanted sexual favors. There are six requirements for it to be considered sexual harassment. First, the victim must be a member of a protected class. Second, the complaint
(2) Gender also poses a challenge in the work force. Today, more and more women are entering the workforce. As such, the working environment has greatly changed. Companies make sure that sexual harassment does not happen. Men are expected to carefully say things without offending the opposite sex. The same rule also applies to women.
In an article by Lisa Mooney about tension in the workplace, Mooney explains that there are many signs of sexual harassment in a place of business such as, the language men use towards their female co-workers, by referring to them as “ladies, babes or gals”, refers to there being a gender bias in the environment. Also if a man makes lots of physical contact with a co-worker of the opposite sex, there is an underlying assumption that he wants to have sexual contact with that person. All of these things and more make for tension for everyone around and also start cases of sexual harassment. Another form of tension is the power struggle between a female with a higher position than another male co-worker. If that woman is a no nonsense type of boss, then she is labeled as an evil boss rather than her just doing her job. These are some of the reasons it’s hard for a women to have and keep a job in the corporate world and why women everyday are fighting for better rights not only in the everyday real world but also just in the
In “A distressing summer of workplace sexism reminds us how far we have to go” by Susanna Schrobsdorff, the author states, “according to a Pew Research survey released in August, most American men—56%— think sexism is over and done with. More than half believe that “the obstacles that once made it harder or women than men to get ahead are now largely gone. Of course, most women—63%—disagree” (Schrobsdorff 55). The misbelief that sexism still does not exist allows for the culture in which women continue to only be seen as sexual objects and not competent workers. Ehrenreich describes that, “[you should] watch out for Lon, who has a habit of following his female coworkers into service closets” (Ehrenreich 64). Ehrenreich is warned about a potential harassing employee and that it may happen to you, but most importantly, the behavior is normalized instead of trying to stop it. In “Not Just Fox” by Katha Pollitt, she explains that there is a misconception when it comes to being harassed and it is that, “being harassed is not a matter of weakness; it’s about the enormous power differential between worker and boss” (Pollitt 6). This is further supported by “ a 2015 Cosmopolitan survey, 71% of women said they did not file complaints about sexual harassment, likely because they feared appearing difficult or ‘too sensitive.’And they worry about retaliation and job security” (Schrobsdorff 55). Sometimes the person that is doing the harassing is the supervisor or the manager, when this occurs the victim is left with little options that will not disrupt the workplace. She also runs the possibility of being fired solely to avoid a sexual harassment complaint that she may file against him. Ehrenreich states that, “as a dietary aide, as I understand the job, is dependent on a cook as a waitress is[;] He or she
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.
Roberts, Barry S. and Richard A. Mann. ?Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: A Primer.? n.pag. On-line. Internet. 5 Dec 2000. Available WWW:
Indeed, women are disproportionately represented in the industry, as males outnumber females in upper level positions by a ratio of 3:1, meaning that men dominate corporate decision making and policy (Wihbey, 2015). A study of women office workers conducted by Bell, McLaughlin & Sequeira (2002) illustrates the consequences of male-dominated upper management: “in male-dominated environments, [it was] found that women whose supervisors were men experienced more frequent sexual harassment [compared to] women whose supervisors were women” (p. 5). This study is significant because it demonstrates how sexual harassment is treated as less seriously and problematic in organizations with a high male-to-female worker ratio and is a likely contributor for why the harassment continued undisturbed for 15 years. Furthermore, it explains why the Fox Broadcasting Company elected to handle harassment claims through private settlements rather than properly disciplining employees (i.e. leave of absence or
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.
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).
THESIS STATEMENT: In today’s society 40 percent of the nation’s 55 million working women have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace.
KANE-URRABAZO, C. (2007). Sexual harassment in the workplace: it is your problem. Journal Of Nursing Management, 15(6), 608-613. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2834.2007.00725.x
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.
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...
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.