She stood her ground against the countless crude and derogatory remarks made by her boss.
Her unwavering resilience seemed to put her boss on the edge, who by the way finds every avenue to ridicule her work and impede her progress.
She might pull a tough front, but she’s slowly breaking inside, her sanity slipping away, and eventually she penned down her resignation letter.
Why must a young, beautiful, and smart woman have to go through this ordeal? It’s her word against his and we know where the balance scale tips, too. Sucks right?
Street quad assemble! We’re about to have a round table discussion. Yes, this topic is sensitive and distressing, but don’t fret. Everyone is working together to address this concern.
Before I lose my head, I’m aware men also do get sexually harassed in the workplace. I’ll always remain your loyal and unbiased parrot. Without further ado, let’s dive into it, shall we?
How well do you know sexual harrasement?
Sexual harassment doesn’t render age or sex as a factor. It is a common case that can be found in almost, if not all, workplaces, but people rarely report it. Unwarranted sexual advances or favours, inappropriate touches and statements are examples of behavior that is under the umbrella of sexual harassment, which is highly unwelcomed.
The impact of sexual harassment on individuals is an awakening call to action. The long damaging effects will always serve as a reminder of the harsh reality. Employees that experience sexual harassment are prone to health challenges, both psychological and physical.
Mental health issues, which include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), stress, anxiety, depression are symptoms victims are most likely to face. The physical health of victims also deteriorates. Symptoms that include high blood pressure, headaches, weight loss/gain, insomnia, etc. are not to be neglected.
Ways to reduce the risk of sexual harassment in workplace
Ending the cycle of sexual harassment in an office environment is not that far-fetched. Raising awareness is one of the key factors in curbing this menace.
Making your staff understand the definition of sexual harassment and highlighting behaviours associated with it can help them be vigilant against such acts when they see them. For instance: unwanted flirting, gestures, touching, use of offensive and lewd words on clothing, and displaying sexually suggestive images are a few examples of sexual harassment.
It is important to enforce the sexual harassment policy in the workplace. Condoning such acts from individuals irrespective of the status or rank within the organization will create a safe net for victims and also for employees who want to give eyewitness reports.
The policy should incorporate confidentiality and simple procedures for addressing such occurrences.It is important to take swift action when investigating such matters, ensuring the protection and job security of the victim. If we find the harasser guilty, we should impose immediate consequences upon them.
The culture of silence on sexual harassment is so ingrained in the work system out of fear of negative reactions such as retaliation, disbelief, and blame. Combating issues like this is tricky and costly, so the best option is prevention.
A well-detailed policy stating procedures on reporting and whistleblowing while keeping confidentiality in check, understanding the definition and behaviors of sexual harassment in the workplace, swift response action to complaints, a zero tolerance for sexual harassment are all ways of fighting this growing concern.
Stay safe, be vigilant and don’t forget to blow the whistle!
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