The Influence of Culture in the Perception of Sexual Harrassment in the Workplace

RESEARCH PAPER

THE INFLUENCE OF CULTURE IN THE PERCEPTION OF SEXUAL HARRASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE

GB520 Strategic Human Resources Management

Author: Benjamin Tamesis

Professor: Sandra Harris, Ph.D.

Date: March 30, 2010

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Introduction- General Description…………………………………………………….….02

II. Argument……………………………………………………………………………….…02

III. Brief History of Sexual Harassment Law………………………………………………...03

IV. Definition of Sexual Harassment…………………………………………………………03

V. Forms of Sexual Harassment………………………………………………….…………..04

VI. The Impact of Cultural Perceptions on Sexual Harassment………………………………05

A. Recent Cases (Tasbas vs. Nicholson, No. 06-CV-6236, WD NY, 2009)…………....05

B. The Impact of Cultural Perceptions in Sexual Harassment in the application of law…………………………………………………………………………………….06

i. The Cultural Defense Doctrine Vs. The Doctrine of Ordered Liberty…………………………………………………………………….06

ii. The Problems Inherent in Using the Cultural Defense Doctrine…………………………………………………………………...07

iii. The Doctrine of Ordered Liberty as the Primary

Guide…………………………………………………………………….. 07

C. The Impact of Gender on Perceptions…………………………………………….….08

D. Hoefstede’s Four Cultural Dimensions and the Effect of Culture on Perceptions of Sexual Harassment……………………………………………………………………09

VII. Recommendation For Managers……...……………....…………………………………..11

VIII. Conclusion………………………………………….…………………………………….12

IX. References………………………………………………………………………….…13-14

Final Research Project

3/30/2010

Benjamin Tamesis

Cultural Perceptions of Sexual Harassment

I. Introduction – General Description.

This research focuses on the perceptions of sexual harassment by individuals in the workplace, who have cultural roots outside of the United States. It will present facts of that show that cultural perceptions have an...