Question

what is sexual harassment in the workplace? what are consequences which sexual harassment bringing? How to avoid the sexual harassment in the workplace

Answer 1

Any unwanted behavior of bothering,annoyance or pressurization for sex at the workplace is sexual harassment in the work place. It's form of discrimination and exploitation based on sex of an individual, a victim of such harassment can be a female by male counterpart,male by a female counterpart ,or both the victim and harasser belong to same sex.The sexual harassment may be in subtle verbal form to attempted or completed sexual assault at the workplace.The forms of sexual harassment at work place includes:

• Any unwanted sexual advances or requests for sexual favours.
• Threats or bribes for sex directly or indirectly.
• Use of abusive sexual words and language with purpose of harassment.
• Unwanted touching and brushing against the victims body.
• Display of explicit sexual materials.
• Attempted or completed sexual assault.

Consequences of sexual harassment at workplace are:

• Poses danger for emotional well being: There's a constant feeling of insecurity in the victim at workplace,this creates an hostile environment for her/him at the workplace.Constant insecurity may also create tension and anxiety in the employee.
• Thwart to physical well being: Being in constant strain and stress ,and working in a hostile environment may have an adverse effect on the physical health of the employee.He/she may physically suffer for the mental trauma as anxiety and stress are related to many psychosomatic problems.
• Financial crisis: Rejecting a sexual favor may prevent the employee from getting the deserved promotion or financial perks if the harasser is a senior and holds an important position at work place. Constant sexual harassment decreases the ability to work to the full potential to one's ability,and,hence the victim may resign or may be suspended or terminated from the job,also may cause constant absenteeism at job.This creates financial problems in victims life.

Avoiding sexual harassment at workplace.

• Such harassment shouldn't be tolerated even at the slightest,the employee should speak up the offensive behavior.
• If the offensive behavior continues then the employee should follow the protocol for such behaviors of the company and report it to the higher authorities.
• Action should be demanded and help of litigation should be sorted if the company fails to address it in proper way.