SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE Many women, and sometimes men, are subjected to sexual harassment of various forms in their workplace and the many challenges that come with it. Bill Grieve looks at what sexual harassment is, what women can do and suggests a few resources to help those that are caught up in situations that are intolerable. There are several challenges that employees face when entering the workplace. Sadly, dealing with harassment in various forms including discriminatory, retaliatory and racial harassment can be one of them. It’s undeniable that dealing with harassment can be distressing as it can be emotionally and mentally draining for the victim. It’s essential that people understand the various types of sexual harassment, and know how to best handle the situation to protect themselves and hold the culprit accountable. A 2016 U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) study found that 75 percent of people who experience workplace harassment failed to act or bring it up with a supervisor, manager, or union representative. A major reason is that employees fear retaliation and bullying, while a possible reason for underreporting is that employees subjected to inappropriate behaviour are not clear on when it crosses the line into illegal sexual harassment. Today, sexual harassment often takes on shadowy subtle forms. Instead of being propositioned or groped, a victim might receive suggestive texts or images, unsolicited sexual comments, innuendos, or invitations to meetings that somehow turn into dates. Sexual harassment is just as likely to happen through emails, social media, or other venues outside of the office as physically. The Two Types of Workplace Sexual Harassment Quid Pro Quo Harassment Occurs when a colleague or superior requests sexual favours or other sexual activities in return of a work-related action. For instance, “You will get promotion if you sleep with me.” or “You will be fired or disciplined unless you make me happy.” Hostile Work Environment Takes place when an employee is subjected to unwelcome physical, written (texts/emails) or verbal conduct of a sexual nature that is so severe or pervasive as to change the employee’s working conditions or create an abusive hostile work environment. While Quid Pro Quo Harassment is relatively straightforward, a Hostile Work Environment can be more difficult to detect. What types of behaviour qualify as sexual harassment and how much is enough to qualify as harassment? We provide some guidance below. Types of Sexual Harassment Conduct Overt Sexual Harassment - This includes unwanted kissing, touching of private areas, rape in the extreme, other forms of sexual assault, requests for sexual favours, making sexually explicit comments, uninvited massages, sexually suggestive gestures, catcalls, ogling, or cornering someone in a tight space and rubbing against them. Subtle Forms of Sexual Harassment - Any of the following actions can be sexual harassment if they make an employee feel uncomfortable, intimidated, or distracted enough to interfere with their work: • Repeated compliments on one’s appearance • Commenting on the attractiveness of others in front of an employee • Discussing one’s sex life in front of an employee • Asking an employee about his or her sex life • Circulating nude photos or photos of women in bikinis or shirtless men in the workplace • Making sexual innuendos or jokes • Sending sexually suggestive text messages or emails • Leaving unwanted gifts of a sexual or romantic nature • Discussing or spreading sexual rumours about an employee, or • Repeated hugs/other unwanted touching (such as a hand on an employee›s back, feeling hair, touching hands). What is sexual harassment? According to Merriam Webster dictionary, sexual harassment is “Uninvited and unwelcome verbal or physical behaviour of a sexual nature especially by a person in authority toward a subordinate (such as an employee or student).” www.bahrainthismonth.com 44 October 2022 opinion
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