Sexual Harrassment in the Workplace

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Business 670 Legal Environment

February 11, 2013

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

In corporate America, sexual harassment is a huge concern amongst many organizations. The matter of sexual harassment is an issue that needs to be immediately attended to in order for companies to avoid large costs associated with lawsuits stemming from allegations of being sexually harassed in the workplace. Sexual harassment is usually an immediate damage and today, it seems like it is becoming more and more common in the workplace. Many people do not like to talk about. Some like to pretend that it did not and does not happen. A few even blame themselves when it seems like it is their fault. What seems to be the problem? It is something that people do not like to talk about and they are ashamed to talk about it in fear of being judged.

Since this is a common problem with in the workplace more and more companies are trying to come up with ways to put this type of behavior to rest so that everyone will be comfortable in their work environment. According to Crucet et al. (2010), “sexual harassment can cause damage to a company’s representation, status, customers, as well as their proceeds”. Sexual harassment can be identified as any unwelcome sexual gestures or advances, request for sex, and/or any physical or verbal conduct that may be considered in a sexual nature. The legalities circling sexual harassment can be broken down into two particular categories. The first category is quid pro quo and the second one consists of a hostile environment. In quid pro quo (this for that) you have someone who is in upper management or in a position that can have some type of influence over a person job, such as hiring, firing, promoting and demoting, just to name a few. This person is usually looked at as a bully. The individual bullies the co-worker in to doing thing that are not right or making comments that very inappropriate to the co-worker....