SEXUAL HARRASSMENT

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SEXUAL HARRASSMENT
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SEXUAL HARASSMENTOBJECTIVES

• Develop a clear understanding of what Sexual
  Harassment is and how it impacts people.
• Discuss the impact of sexism sexual harassment
  on the organization, and strategies for
  prevention.

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SEXUAL HARASSMENTOBJECTIVES (Continued)

• Explore the roles of each employee to help
  maintain an environment free from harassment by
  being aware of behaviors that can offend people
  and clearly communicating that offensive behavior
  must stop.

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Facts About Sexual Harassment

• Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination
  that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
  of 1964.
• Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual
  favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a
  sexual nature constitutes sexual harassment when
  submission to or rejection of this conduct
  explicitly or implicitly affects an individual's
  employment, unreasonably interferes with an
  individual's work performance or creates an
  intimidating, hostile or offensive work
  environment.

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Facts About Sexual Harassment

• Sexual harassment can occur in a variety of
  circumstances, including but not limited to the
  following
• The victim as well as the harasser may be a woman
  or a man. The victim does not have to be of the
  opposite sex.
• The harasser can be the victim's supervisor, an
  agent of the employer, a supervisor in another
  area, a co-worker, or a non-employee.

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Facts About Sexual Harassment

• The victim does not have to be the person
  harassed but could be anyone affected by the
  offensive conduct.
• Unlawful sexual harassment may occur without
  economic injury to or discharge of the victim.
• The harasser's conduct must be unwelcome.

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Facts About Sexual Harassment

• When investigating allegations of sexual
  harassment, EEOC looks at the whole record the
  circumstances, such as the nature of the sexual
  advances, and the context in which the alleged
  incidents occurred. A determination on the
  allegations is made from the facts on a
  case-by-case basis.
• Prevention is the best tool to eliminate sexual
  harassment in the workplace.

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MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUTSEXUAL HARASSMENT

• MYTH Sexual harassment is inevitable when men
  and women work together.
• FACT While interaction between the sexes might
  be inevitable, uninvited sexual overtures are not
  welcome or unavoidable.

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MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUTSEXUAL HARASSMENT

• MYTH If you ignore sexually harassing behavior,
  it will eventually fade away or correct itself.
• FACT Ignoring sexual harassment is ineffective.
  Harassers generally will not stop on their own,
  and ignoring their advances can even be
  misconstrued as encouragement. Prompt and
  appropriate action is the only proven way to stop
  sexual harassment and ensure that harassers will
  not retaliate.

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MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUTSEXUAL HARASSMENT

• MYTH Some people "ask" to be sexually harassed.
•  FACT No one "asks" to be sexually harassed.
  Sexual harassment is a power issue, and being
  victimized by someone who -- by virtue of their
  rank, position, seniority or physical size -- is
  in a position of power over you is a painful and
  difficult experience. "She wore provocative
  clothes" or "He enjoyed it" are unacceptable
  excuses for sexual harassment.

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TYPES OF SEXUAL HARASSMENTSexual Imposition

• SEXUAL IMPOSITION
• Sexual imposition consists of sexual assault
  forcing or attempting to force a person to have
  sex against their will.

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TYPES OF SEXUAL HARASSMENTSexual Imposition

• Examples
• Forceful touching, grabbing, pinching, kissing or
  fondling
• Rape

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TYPES OF SEXUAL HARASSMENTSexual Coercion

• SEXUAL COERCION
• Sexual coercion consists of using threats of
  punishment to attempt to force sexual activity or
  other sex-linked conduct.

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TYPES OF SEXUAL HARASSMENTSexual Coercion

• Examples
• Threatening someone, overtly or subtly, with
  retaliation if he or she is not sexually
  cooperative
• Treating someone poorly or differently for
  refusing to engage in sexual activity
• Making offers to be sexually cooperative in
  exchange for a favor or special treatment (e.g.,
  proffering sex in exchange for a pay raise or
  good assignment, etc.)

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TYPES OF SEXUAL HARASSMENTSexual Bribery

• SEXUAL BRIBERY
• Sexual bribery consists of soliciting sexual
  activity or other sex-linked behavior, either
  overtly or by implication, by promising rewards.

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TYPES OF SEXUAL HARASSMENTSexual Bribery

• Examples
• Attempting to get a person to engage in sexual
  behavior in return for a reward or special
  treatment
• Stating or implying that quicker promotions or
  better treatment could be forthcoming if a person
  were sexually cooperative
• Overtly or indirectly communicating that a person
  may be treated poorly if he or she does not
  cooperate sexually

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TYPES OF SEXUAL HARASSMENTSeductive Harassment

• SEDUCTIVE HARASSMENT
• Seductive harassment consists of unwanted,
  inappropriate and offensive sexual advances, or
  unwanted attempts to establish a sexual
  relationship.

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TYPES OF SEXUAL HARASSMENTSeductive Harassment

• Examples
• Extending repeated unwanted sexual invitations
  and/or insistent requests for dinner, drinks or
  dates
• Persistently writing letters or making phone
  calls to a person over his or her objections
• Making unwanted attempts to establish a romantic
  sexual relationship despite the other person's
  efforts to discourage it
• Touching in a way that makes a person feel
  uncomfortable
• Making unwanted attempts to stroke, fondle or
  kiss a person

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TYPES OF SEXUAL HARASSMENTGender Harassment

• GENDER HARASSMENT
• Gender harassment consists of generalized sexist
  statements and behaviors that convey insulting,
  offensive or degrading attitudes. It includes
  verbal and nonverbal behavior of a sexual nature
  that is offensive, embarrassing or conveys
  condescending attitudes based on gender.

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TYPES OF SEXUAL HARASSMENTGender Harassment

• Treating someone differently because of his or
  her gender (e.g. mistreating, slighting, or
  ignoring them)
• Displaying, using or distributing
  sexist/suggestive material such as coffee cups,
  pictures, stories, offensive graffiti or
  pornography
• Making offensive sexist remarks (e.g. suggesting
  a person is not suited for particular work
  because of his or her gender)
• Putting someone down or being condescending
  toward a person based on his or her gender.
• Making offensive remarks about a person's
  appearance, body, or sexual activities
• Making gestures or using body language of a
  sexual nature

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TYPES OF SEXUAL HARASSMENTGender Harassment

• Staring, leering or ogling in a way that makes
  someone feel uncomfortable
• Exposing oneself in a way that embarrasses
  another person or makes them uncomfortable
• Examples
• Repeatedly telling obscene jokes or employing
  sexual humor
• Whistling, calling or hooting at someone in a
  sexual way
• Unwelcome attempts to draw a person into a
  discussion of sexual matters
• Making crude, offensive or insulting sexual
  remarks, either publicly or privately

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TYPES OF SEXIST BEHAVIOR/GENDER DISCRIMINATION

• Employment Decisions
• Paternalism/Maternalism
• Preferential treatment
• Speaking for/clarifying
• Exclusionary language
• Using first names
• Aggression

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Hostile Work Environment

• Conduct that makes the workplace sexually charged
  does not need to be directed at the person being
  harassed in order to be actionable.

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Hostile Work Environment

• Conduct of a sexual nature that creates a hostile
  work environment.
• OR
• Unreasonably interferes with an individuals job
  performance.

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Verbal forms of Sexual Harassment

• Turning work discussions into sexual topics
• Jokes
• Sexual Comments
• Whistling
• Sexual Connotations or Innuendoes

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Nonverbal forms of Sexual Harassment

• Paying unwanted attention.
• Displaying sexual suggestive visuals
• Sexually orientated entertainment
• Gestures

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EXPLICIT SEXUAL HARASSMENT

• Full, precise expression. Verbal, Nonverbal,
  Physical or Written.

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IMPLICIT SEXUAL HARASSMENT

• Not clearly expressed behaviors but are
  understood. Can be either Verbal, Nonverbal,
  Physical or Written.
• SUBTLE

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Sexual Harassment Definition Cont.

• Made implicitly or explicitly on condition of
  employment.
• Submission or rejection to such conduct affects
  job opportunities.
• Conduct interferes with an employees work or
  creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive
  work environment.

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Physical forms of Sexual Harassment

• Hanging around
• Touching
• Hugging, kissing, patting
• Pinching, bumping or cornering
• Blocking a passageway

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STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTION

• REACTIVE STRATEGIES-Ensure all
  actions/complaints are dealt with in a timely
  manner.-Conduct appropriate follow-up actions
  and check for retribution.-Address sexist
  behavior.-Dont be afraid to speak up.

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STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTION

• PROACTIVE STRATEGIES-Focus on professionalism,
  not sexuality.-Ensure all personnel know the
  policy.-Conduct regular training-Think before
  making personal comments.-Set positive examples.

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Sexual Harassment Prevention Policy

• Sexual Harassment violates our core values of
  honor, respect, and devotion to duty.

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Sexual Harassment Prevention Policy (Continued)

• Tolerance of sexual harassment is poor
  leadership. Therefore, it is critical that each
  of us hold accountable anyone who commits sexual
  harassment and take immediate corrective action.

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?QUESTIONS?
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SUMMARY

• Sexual Harassment Policy/Definition
• Examples of Sexual Harassment
• Sexist Behavior/Gender Discrimination
• Impact to Individuals and Organizations
• Strategies to combat Sexual Harassment.