In the workplace, sexual harassment can be a problem for both employees and employers. While it predominantly affects women, men are also victims and are less likely to report the harassment. If not properly addressed the economic and reputational impact it can have on a business is incalculable. This blog will discuss sexual harassment in the workplace and how to prevent it.
What is sexual harassment in the workplace?
This may not be as obvious as you might think. It can take many different forms. It can be anything from verbal comments, innuendos or jokes about someone’s sex or body, to unwanted touching or sexual advances. At the very least it constitutes a form of bullying and at the very worst, sexual intimidation and abuse.
What are the signs of sexual harassment in the workplace?
It may be possible to observe patterns or behaviours that may indicate a person is likely to engage in sexual harassment. For instance, if a colleague routinely makes sexually suggestive comments or offers unwanted physical contact towards another.
A more insidious sign of a possible culture of sexual harassment in the workplace is when an employer fails to take action when they become aware of inappropriate behavior. This can suggest that the employer either condones or even supports the behaviour, which can be extremely damaging both emotionally and professionally.
What can employees do to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace?
Sexual harassment can have a serious impact on employees’ mental and physical health, as well as their careers. There are many things employees can do to prevent or minimise it occuring in the workplace: speak up if they experience it, keep records of any incidents they experience, and seek out support from their coworkers.
Talk to someone you trust.
It can be difficult to deal with sexual harassment on your own. Talking to someone you trust can help you to process what’s happening and work out what to do next.
Contact your HR department.
If you’re not sure who to talk to, or you’re ready to take things further, talk to you human resources department. They are there to help deal with these types of issues in the workplace. The HR department have a duty of care towards their employees and must take any concern seriously.
Make a formal complaint.
If you feel like the sexual harassment is continuing or getting worse, you can make a formal complaint with your employer. There should be a written procedure in your contract on to how to go about this and it will start the process of trying to resolve the situation.
What can employers do to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace?
Each employer should have their own policies and procedures in place. That said, employers can take a number of steps to prevent and address instances of sexual harassment and ideally these should form part of those procedures. These steps may include adopting and implementing anti-sexual harassment policies, conducting training on sexual harassment prevention and addressing it promptly when it occurs, enforcing anti-harassment policies, creating a safe work environment for employees, and supporting employees who experience sexual harassment.
And finally…
Sexual harassments can result in a wide range of negative outcomes for both the victims and the business. There are no positives for anyone concerned so a proactive approach to address the issue is in the interests of everyone. One of the biggest obstacles is recognition of what constitutes sexual harassment. Regular training is a prerequisit for any business serious about addressing and preventing the problem.
If you feel that you have been subjected to sexual harassment in the workplace, it is important to speak up and seek help. There are many resources available online. Acas offers a helpline and advice in the UK. Various states throughout the US will offer similar services. You might also seek support through your union or human resources department. If it is affecting you it has probably affected others before you. Reporting the harassment not only begins the process of resolving the matter for you but helps prevent repeat behaviour that would affect others in the future.
Experiencing sexual harassment can be mentally and physically destructive. No one should have to deal with it in the workplace. If you’re experiencing it you should not be afraid to speak up and take action.