Prevention of Sexual Harassment

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Prevention ofSexual Harassment

• NOAAs Satellite and Information Service

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Objectives

• To prevent occurrence of sexual harassment
• To increase awareness
• To identify behavior associated with sexual
  harassment
• To limit agency liability

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Overview

• Define sexual harassment
• NOAAs harassment policy
• Impact on the workplace
• Preventative Actions
• Video

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Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Definition__________________________

• Sexual Harassment is.
• any unwelcome verbal or physical sexual
  conduct that is so objectively offensive as to
  alter the conditions of the victims employment.
  

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TYPES OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT

• Quid Pro Quo
• Hostile Work Environment

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Quid Pro Quo

• Tangible employment action
• Can only be committed by supervisory or
  managerial personnel
• One single act can be harassment
• Do not have to prove economic loss, just threat
  is enough
• Agency is automatically liable

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Hostile Work Environment

• Where unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature
  creates an uncomfortable work environment
• Legal standard severe or pervasive
• Usually a pattern of inappropriate sexual
  behavior
• Agency is liable unless it can show an
  affirmative defense

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Reasonable Person Standard Would a reasonable
person consider the behavior to be offensive?
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• How Common is Sexual Harassment
• in the Workplace?

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Sexual Harassment Claims with EEOC
1980 1989 5,849 SH Claims 1990 1999
37,725 SH Claims 2000 2003 20,601 SH
claims Monetary
Benefits - 50 million in FY 03
Reflects federal, state local
claims
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Why is sexual harassment a problem?

• Legal costs awards
• Lower productivity morale
• Complaints
• Loss of resources
• Career/personal problems
• Emotional stress
• Poor public image

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Liability

• Agency is held liable
• Can be reduced with strong agency policy along
  with training and awareness program
• Potential for personal liability

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NOAAs Harassment Policy

• Provides definition of Sexual Harassment
• States that harassment will not be tolerated
• Describes NOAAs harassment complaint process
• Informs victims of avenues of redress
• Clarifies agencys requirements

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What should a victim do?

• Confront the harasser, ask that the harassment
  stop
• Document continuing harassment
• Review the organization policies and prepare
  thoughts and notes
• Report harassment to the appropriate person

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• The agency must
• Conduct a prompt, thorough and impartial
  investigation
• Take immediate and appropriate corrective action
  for substantiated complaints

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Complainants and witnesses are

• Protected from retaliation
• Provided confidentiality to the extent possible

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Preventing Sexual Harassment
Respect the personal space of others
Be professional
Dont make assumptions about practical jokes
Think before speaking
Know agencys harassment policy
Address any inappropriate behavior
Consider others feelings and perceptions
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Diversity in the Workplace
Everyone deserves to be treated with respect!
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V i d e o