Tip #12: Combating Sexual Harassment in the work place

April 3, 2009 1510 Comments2009-04-03+10%3A57%3A17Ben+Nash

Sexual harassment in the workplace is unpleasant and, unfortunately, an all too common occurrence. Many employees, who are friends with their coworkers, often forget that they are required by law to hold themselves to a higher standard of conduct within the confines of the job – even if they choose not to out side of the office. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission states in their Sex Discrimination Guidelines,

“Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when 1) submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment, 2) submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individual, or 3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment.”

Sexual harassment is still out there folks. Here are three ways to combat this unprofessional behavior:

Create a zero tolerance sexual harassment policy that is fully supported by upper management and employees alike. Make sure this policy is communicated often (at least annually) throughout the organization.

Provide training (ideally to all employees but certainly to supervisors) on recognizing and understanding the potential harm to themselves and the organization in sexual harassment. Additional training on the best practices of responding to or reporting allegations of sexual harassment may be needed (check if you state requires mandatory sexual harassment training).
Encourage people who are victims of sexual harassment, both male and female, to come forward and report the incident – the only way to make it stop is to take action.