Sexual Harassment in the Work Place

Mabelle McDonald

Sexual Harassment in the Work Place

Your friend Jelisa has told you that her boss compliments her appearance every day, calls her honey or sweetie and sometimes when they talk he will put his hand on her shoulder, Jelisa isn't sure if she is a victim of sexual harassment or if her boss just being friendly. What can you tell Jelisa about the factors that are considered when determining if sexual harassment has occurred?

The first thing that Jelisa should know is that she is not alone in having feelings of confusion over whether or not she is being sexually harassed in the workplace. Identifying whether or not the behaviors are indeed sexual harassment can be a difficult thing to do because her boss is not outright harassing her. Jelisa needs to know that there are three major categories of sexual harassment:

Sexual coercion: an attempt to force sexual compliance in exchange for workplace (or educational) benefits or threats of punishment. This is the least reported type.

Unwanted sexual attention:sexual conduct on the workplace or school that can be either verbal or nonverbal and that is unwanted by the victim and creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. Common examples include repeated requests for a date and risqué comments about clothing.

Gender harassment:sexist remarks or behavior based on stereotypes of the sexes, including sexist jokes, displaying nude photographs, and making comments about another’s body. This is the most common form, with up to 70% of women reporting experiencing gender harassment.(Kail/Cavanaugh)

Is this verbal or physical behavior of a sexual nature?

Is this conduct offensive to persons who witness it?

Is this behavior being initiated by only one of the parties who has power over the other?

Does the employee have to tolerate that type of conduct in order to keep his or her job?

Does the conduct make...