Sexual Harassment: What It Is and How to Handle It

Table of Contents 

Introduction 3 

Stakeholders Affected by Sexual Harassment 3 

Sexual Harassment at workplace Among the Men population 3 

Sexual Harassment Among the Feminists Advocates 4 

Sexual Harassment on Managers 4 

Sexual Harassments on Junior Employees 4 

References 5 

Introduction 

Sexual harassment is a challenge which has been in the news headlines within the United States boundaries and the world over. The issue of sexual harassment is considered illegality and unethical as it breaches the equal opportunities Act. 

An act is considered sexual harassment when it is seen as driven with sexual motives devoid of consensual interaction, the friendship of flirtation. Sexual harassment can be witnessed in many different and various environments. A workplace is one of the areas where this vise is rampant. However, there are cases which qualifies a sexual motive to be regarded as sexual harassment within the workplace. This classification for workplace sexual harassment entails three cases which include when the action takes place within the work environment, at the work-related functions or events where people are carrying out work activities and when it is between the people sharing the same workplace. 

Stakeholders Affected by Sexual Harassment 

Sexual Harassment at workplace Among the Men population 

In most instances, the complaints of sexual harassment at workplaces have been seen from the women population. However, this trend has been seen to increase on the male gender. Out of the 7809 sexual charges filed in the year 2011 by the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 16.1% were cases filed by men. This figures increased to 17.6% by the year 2013 (Vitelli, 2015). The statistics shown above shows that the male population is also at risk of falling victims to sexual harassment at the workplaces. Men face sexual harassment when they are seen to be engaging in female related chores like taking care of their children. This form of harassment comes from men who see them as less masculine. Sexual harassment towards men at the workplace in relation to house chore is rampant among the fellow men employees. This is coming as a result of beliefs that these chores are female related and that traditionally it is unacceptable 

Sexual Harassment Among the Feminists Advocates 

Women harboring strong feminism ideals fall as a victim of sexual harassment at their workplaces. The case of feminists’ harassment is taking the form of gender harassment in which there is a hostile behavior directed at an employee with an aim of attacking their gender. The behaviors include mocking, off-color jokes and denigrating comments meant to cause degrading of the female gender. The harassment can go to an extent of issuing threats to potential victims. It is significant to put into consideration that this form of harassment is unlikely and is the least form of harassment. 

Sexual Harassment on Managers 

Any manager can fall a victim to sexual harassment regardless of their gender. This is in most cases takes place with the employees making sexual advancements to the management personnel. The offenders, in this case, are interested in securing job opportunities or promotion. The female employees are seen as the major suspects and offenders in this case. They make their sexual motives known through their dressing and giving suggestive talks which are seen as seducing the male managers to fall into their motives. 

Sexual Harassments on Junior Employees 

Female employees in many instances complain of threats issued to them by the male employers. These threats are meant to force them to have sexual affairs with their bosses. The male bosses in these cases target the vulnerability of their female victims in sustaining themselves financially with the loss of jobs. Even though it’s not in common for the management representative to reach appoint of issuing such threats. It in many cases starts with the giving of gifts and making sexual advancements and behaviors to their targets. It is learned that men are seen as overwhelmingly responsible for the cases of sexual harassment against women at their workplaces ( McDonald & Charlesworth, 2016). However, it is realized that there are fewer manifestations of sexual harassment initiated by women towards men. 

References 

McDonald, P., & Charlesworth, S. (2016). Workplace sexual harassment at the margins.  Work, employment and society ,  30 (1), 118-134. 

Vitelli R. (2015, May). When men face sexual harassment . Psychology today. Retrieved from: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/media-spotlight/201505/when-men-face-sexual-harassment