Sexual Harassment Epidemic Plaguing The Modern Workplace

Sexual harassment is bullying or coercion of a sexual nature, or the unwelcome or inappropriate promise of rewards in exchange for sexual favors. Harassment in itself is illegal but sexual harassment takes a different form. Although illegal, it may not be taken as serious as it should. Badgering charges are normally an offense, yet that grouping does not nullify the reality of a provocation charge. Harassment charges don't rebuff lead yet rather rebuff certain sorts of disturbing or irritating correspondences.

Unlike the majority of men, women are often over sexualized by their male coworkers and end up being treated in ways that are degrading and disrespectful. The sad truth is that if these women were in fact male they would have to put up with next no harassment, proving the unequal treatment of women in their places of work. Sexual harassment in work place first gained national attention in 19191 when President Bush nominated Clarence Thomas to US Supreme court. Thomas’s former assistant testified that he had sexually harassed her by making a series or sexually inappropriate comments, overtures and solicitations while acting as her supervisor. (Issues and Controversies) This is not the only sighted case of sexual harassment in the work place. It is reported that 81 percent of women are verbally harassed and 44 percent have encountered unwanted toughing and sexual advances (__) This form of harassment is degrading to women, putting them in a place that men perceive to be below them and shows the inequality that is present in the life of an everyday working

Corporate Australia requires immediate attention to stem the steady increase of sexual harassment. Alexander and Lewer (1998) state there is “significant interaction between industrial relations practices and the economy” demonstrating linkages between individuals, organisations and society that must be addressed.

Harassment has plagued the world for centuries. Why should the workplace be any different? Sexual harassment and workplace violence are not only of historical roots, but contemporary issues are still present in the workforce today. Managers are addressing and combating modern sexual harassment and workplace violence, however instances still occur (Robbins, Decenzo & Coulter, 2011).

The current social and economic concerns in the world have focused more on the achievement of equality between men and women at the various levels of engagements. However, this dream has been delayed long enough thanks to the vices that are still tied in the social fabric of a majority of societies across the globe. One principal goal in the recent years revolves on the eradication of workplace sexual harassment. This act affects both men and women, but it is more pronounced in the latter gender. The focus of this study is majorly on workplace sexual harassment that women in Canada have had to contend with for many years. This study will define the existence of workplace sexual harassment and some of the contributing factors. In addition, the study will cover some of the organizations that have thrown their weight against the vice and the strategies employed to address the issue. Finally, a conclusion will analyze the viability of some of the strategies adopted to address the matter and their effectiveness in addressing the issue of sexual harassment at the workplace.

Sexual harassment in the workplace is a huge problem in recent history. It can happen to anyone and it can happen everywhere. It can affect all types of races, gender and age. Statistics today shows that more and more sexual harassment has become an issue due to the large number of cases presented. Mainstream media becomes consume covering sexual harassment because of the high profile cases. Sexual harassment becomes a topic on various TV shows, and on some major morning radio talk shows mostly everyday. Sexual harassment laws must be strengthened in order to fix what has become a serious problem today in the workplace.

One article covered by CTV news involved a female officer (Const. Heather McWilliam) who filed a human rights complaint involving workplace sexual harassment against her Toronto police supervisor. This case is similar to Constable Eva Hernandez’s case because they both involve women of the same rank who have to endure sexual harassment in the workplace and who have both chosen to speak out about their struggles. McWilliam was victim to constant sexual harassment over many years and was called degrading names as well as had many sexual jokes made around her. This is similar to how Hernandez was called “butch dyke” and “Niña loca” by her male coworkers. Unlike Hernandez, McWilliam also says her supervising officer passed around photos from her

Over the years, many people have believed that the issue of sexual harassment should not be discussed in public. Sexual harassment was to be discussed behind closed doors. In spite of this, the social and political systems have changed instantaneously. This social problem has affected men and women throughout time; however, it seems that the women of our society more closely look at this issue. This social topic has encouraged women to establish organizations in order to help them discuss the issues more openly and to demand equality including fairness and justice throughout the workplace and in their social lives as well. In recent years, sexual harassment has been one of the most serious and widespread problems

“Men believe we should have laws against sexual harassment, but their hostile reaction toward women who sued successfully for sexual harassment shows that they are, in fact, threatened by the law. The criminalization of the woman reimagines the men as victims and the woman as a perpetrator” (Tinkler, 2012, p. 37). This quote speaks to the heart of the Vinson-vs-Taylor case. This case centers on the question, “Was the sexual harassment alleged by Vinson truly harassment because she was a voluntary participant?” The following case study will examine the decisions made by two separate courts, it will discuss when acquiescence is not permission, and whether or not the company should be held liable in cases of harassment. Finally the case study will examine how accuser can make a claim stronger.

Without controversy, all of us can agree on one thing, that any kind of sexual harassment is something so utterly abominable and ugly to look at. The U.S government defines sexual harassment is, “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature”(U.S. Equal Employment). Sexual harassment typically victimizes woman, but this does not mean that men are not the victims of sexual harassment cases all the time. In many times sexual harassment can lead to abuse.

Sexual harassment can be characterized by unwanted sexual advances, or verbal conduct of a sexual nature which is not reciprocated. In Australia, they have implemented what is called a “Sex Discrimination Act” which states that “an employer is responsible for the actions an employee has committed during their employment unless the person took all the reasonable steps to ensure the act had not been committed” (Judd). Which means that unless the employer integrates training for sexual harassment and conduct, which includes how to identify sexual harassment, and how to deal with it, including the training of what sexual harassment is, and what to do when you encounter, it can possibly eliminate most of the fear that women have towards getting a career to support themselves.

These laws were written in response to a number of cases where employees, particularly female employees, were made to feel uncomfortable in the workplace by harassment of a sexual nature. This type of conduct was discouraging women from entering the work force. By introducing laws against sexual harassment, the law aims to stop all members of society being susceptible to, or discouraged by sexual harassment. Furthermore, the element of unlawful harassment is described broadly.

As seen in the case study, a court decision may be one way for any company to legally define what constitutes sexual harassment in the workplace, but there are many ways to define sexual harassment. Everyone has different views and tolerance levels towards sexual harassment. When a case of sexual harassment occurs in a workplace, however, it comes down to how the courts define sexual harassment. The Supreme Court defines sexual harassment to be unlawful in two ways. “The first type involves sexual harassment that results in a tangible employment action;” this is referred to as quid pro quo. For example, if an employee complies with the harasser’s request, then she will get a raise. This unlawful act is usually presented in the workplace by a person who has an upper hand, such as a manager, to ensure that s/he will get what s/he wants. Employees are often victimized by fear that they will not get promoted or that they will get fired. They also dread that if a complaint is filed, it will not be handled correctly. “This instance of sexual harassment always involves another violation of employee rights; [sic] wrongful termination.” This would occur, for instance, when “a supervisor . . . tells a subordinate that . . . she must be sexually cooperative with [him] or . . . she will be fired, and who then indeed does fire the subordinate for not submitting” (“U.S. Supreme Court Defines”). [schwinlaw.com]

Social inequality is a pressing issue in society today. It is a problem that is embedded deeply in society and has a harmful and negative impact. It creates an uneven distribution of resources and opportunities in society thereby causing people to be marginalized. There are many categories associated with social inequality. Examples include race, ethnicity, age, gender, power and social class. This paper will examine gender inequality in society. Using an article from the Toronto Star, I will focus on sexual harassment as an issue of gender inequality in the workplace and the impact it has had on the self-esteem as well as opportunities and achievements of women. Gender Inequality can be defined as the unequal treatment and prejudice of a person on the basis of sex and gender roles. Sexual harassment is further defined as any unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favours of verbal, gestural or physical nature and with objectionable overtones which cause discomfort, humiliation, fear or anger (I.L.O, 1958). Gender Inequality is mostly affected by women. In the workplace, schools, political positions and even in families, women are seen as the inferior sex. In Canadian history, it was not until the 1900s women were given equal rights to vote and the 1920s before a woman was elected in parliament. (Smith, 2011) This is to show that gender discrimination has been embedded in society for a very long time and although laws have been made to make sure males and females are

In our patriarchal society, women are seen as inferior to men in everyday life. Since the very start of this country, women have been looked down upon, and stereotyped as housewives, sluts, or as emotionally irrational. It wasn’t until 1920 that women gained the right to vote, they still get paid 77 cents to every $1 a man makes (Macionis), and there hasn’t ever been a female president in the United States. These types of obstacles contribute to the power that men have in our country and around the world, which leads to abuses of it. Sexual harassment, “comments, gestures, or physical contacts of a sexual nature that are deliberate, repeated, and unwelcome” (Macionis), is a by-product of abuse of power, sexism, and even pornography, and it’s not going to keep going unheard.