Sexual Harassment Certification
What to do when harassed: Step 3
A fact finding investigation will then ensue. Any measures taken during the investigation should not affect you in a negative manner.
How can sexual harassment effect a company?
Employee morale generally declines, productivity can suffer, the reputation of the company can be compromised and financial burdens can be incurred due to lawsuits and settlements.
Example of Quid Pro Quo
- A manager or supervisor promises to give you a pay raise, promotion, transfer, etc. in exchange for some sexual favor. - Possibly you are passed over for promotion, not given a pay increase, transferred, etc. because you did not agree to the sexual favor.
Examples of potential victims of harassers
- Any employee who was passed over for a promotion because someone else received the promotion due to quid pro quo harassment is also a victim. - If a hostile work environment is created by a person's unwelcome actions, then it is possible that more than one employee is affected.
According to the EEOC, sexual harassment is defined as...
- Any unwelcome physical advances - Requests for sexual favors - Verbal or physical conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment. - Submission to or reflection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individuals, and such conduct creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment.
What information is important when reporting an incident?
- Date and time of the incident. - Location where the incident took place. - Persons involved including any possible witnesses.a - Detailed description of what happened. - Any other pertinent information that will help in the investigation.
What to do when harassed: Step 1
- Inform the person that you are offended by their actions and would like for them to stop. - If you are not comfortable confronting the person or their behavior is blatantly inappropriate, you should inform a company-designated person immediately.
Preventing Sexual Harassment at Work
- Keep your conduct appropriate for work. - Watch for inappropriate conduct in others. - Inform others when they are out of line.
Examples of sexual harassment in the workplace.
- Staring or leering in a suggestive manner. - Making offensive remarks about someone's looks, clothing and/or body. - Touching, pinching, patting, and brushing against someone in a manner that creates an uncomfortable feeling. - Telling sexual or offensive jokes or making sexual gestures . - Displaying sexually related materials such as posters or calendars. - Sending sexually related material via email, letter, or notes.
How can sexual harassment effect a victim?
- There is a great amount of guilt and shame that victims wrongfully feel. - Stress, anger, frustration, helplessness, depression, and hopelessness. - financial difficulties, physical ailments and relationship problems.
What should a companies policy include to address and prevent sexual Harassment?
- define what they deem sexual harassment is. - clearly state standards for dress code, workplace behavior, and allowable personal belongings. - Names of appropriate personnel and departments to which employees can report possible sexual harassment. - Statements assuring confidentiality of complaints. - Statements assuring no retaliation will be allowed. - Grievance procedures - Possible remedies and corrective/ disciplinary producers.
Always...
...be aware that your actions, language and personal belongings affect your coworkers.
If you witness or feel harassed...
1. Ask the person to stop 2. Report immediately to appropriate personnel if it continues. 3. Company will file case to ensure your safety in the workplace, free from harassment.
Who can be a sexual harassment victim?
Anyone; can occur between members of the opposite sex (male to female or female to male) as well as members of the same sex (female to female or male to male).
Who can harassment come from?
Anyone; managers, supervisors, coworkers, customers, vendors, suppliers, delivery drivers, contractors and sales representatives, etc.
Hostile Work Environment
Comments or conduct based on sex, sexually orientated material, or other offensive material is considered harassment when they unreasonably interfere with an employee's work.
What to do when harassed: Step 4
If sexual harassment is found to have occurred, measures will be taken to restore you (or the victim) to the position you would have held had the harassment not occurred.
What to do when harassed: Step 2
If the actions are blatantly inappropriate, then the company representative will begin the task of investigating the incident immediately after being notified.
Examples that create a Hostile Work Environment
Language/ actions that are unwelcome, severe, pervasive, intimidating , hostile, offensive.
What is a Victim?
anyone who is adversely affected by sexual harassment in the workplace.
Quid Pro Quo
basically means "something for something."
What are examples of some measures taken to compensate a victim when sexual harassment has been deemed to have occurred?
measures might include an apology from the harasser, reinstatement, promotion, wage increase, replacement of time taken off and correction of any other effect caused by the incident.
Many times there will be ______________ victim when sexual harassment occurs.
more than just one
