Sexual Harassment at Workplace

What is sexual harassment?

We are talking about our workplaces here, though Sexual Harassment is present everywhere in our lives. Basically it stands for any form of unwelcome or inappropriate sexual behavior which is offensive, humiliating or intimidating. It may be in explicit or implicit form, physical or verbal in nature. The harasser can be either the victim’s superior or co-worker or somehow related to work like a company’s client or vendor or customer.

Men and women both are subjected to harassment in work places, and goes without saying, the percentage of women victims is way high than men. Nevertheless sexual harassment is a phenomenon which is growing alarmingly. So sensitization in this regard is a must.

We must know what are those actions which tell us that someone is being sexually harassed; following are some examples:

·        Sexist jokes or sexually-suggestive comments

·        Inappropriate comments on dressing or body-type

·        Questioning someone about personal life on private matters

·        Staring

·        Unnecessary physical contact

·        Making environment awkward – by using vulgar wallpapers / posters

Effects of sexual harassment are not only on one particular employee, it affects the organization in long term and if nothing is done to stop this; it sends a wrong message about the company and strengthens abusers.

In order to observe the victims of harassment, these may be the signs – He/she may be:

·        Depressed or anxious all the time

·        Feeling guilty without any known cause

·        Questioning his or her self-worth

·        Feels him/herself inferior

Many times they may be affected physically also –like they may experience severe headache / have panic attacks or have disturbed sleeping patterns, feel tired all the time.

It is important to watch out for such symptoms around you, so steps can be taken before any more harm is done.

Sexual harassment cases may hamper the organizations as well. If there are such instances, there is a spread of negativity, and other employees may feel unsafe and de-motivated to come and work. Efficiency level may also come down, absenteeism may increase. And above all, the company’s reputation is also put at stake. There may be legal implications as well.

Employees spend a major part of their lives and everyday-time in their offices, so basically it should be a happy place for them, where they feel motivated enough to come and contribute to the company’s success story. It is rather unfortunate if someone is subjected to harassment at workplace, even worse when it is done by someone he or she knows.

There are many ways by which sexual harassment cases can be minimized or even better, if it can become zero. The organization needs to be very firm and strict in its policies towards such cases, no one should be privileged for a light interrogation, if there are strong evidences against someone, and the matter should be taken very seriously. Of course, the committee who is responsible to handle the matters should be very careful to examine or blame anyone, only after getting sufficient data. And, the investigation should be done in a discrete manner in order to protect the identity of the victim or harasser till the time he or she is proven guilty.

Now, to lessen such instances, the other employees, in this case, we can call them bystanders – they have a very important role to play. The organization needs to hold sessions to create awareness for all the employees so they are well-equipped to act if they witness or observe any harassment going on. This is almost like organizations organizing a drill for the earthquakes or fire. It is high time that harassment matters should be an important priority to address.

There are various ways in which a bystander can be helpful and for their protection they need to have complete information because the harasser may be a strong one and can influence the bystander or the victim.

There are some ways for intervention like:

·        Ring the bell – try to distract the harasser

·        Mention this story in any public forum in third person where the harasser is also present so he/she may know that probably someone knows the truth

·        Provide emotional support to the victim

·        At least not be a part of the act – like not laughing on sexist jokes or by not enjoying the conversation in which someone is being bullied

·        Show disagreement by your actions or body language

·        Straightway go and interrupt – one needs to be very careful in choosing this action

Now, we must know how can one protect himself or herself from sexual harassment? The most important weapon against it is prevention, and knowing your rights, your organization’s policies about it. If anyone’s behavior feels inappropriate or if something makes you uncomfortable, start observing signs. First step may be to tell the harasser firmly that you do not approve of the actions, even if it does not stop, you may take it forward to the HR department or someone senior who can be trusted and have an authority to do something about it. It is not advisable to talk to just anyone and later be a subject of gossip at workplace. Most importantly, one should never blame him/herself for whatever has happened, remember, it is not you, it is the harasser who is at fault.