Effect of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, Essay Example

A term for something that had been taking place for decades was coined as sexual harassment in the early 1970’s. Before this time, sexual harassment was something that occurred frequently, but was never reported. It was seen as common practice and the old phrase boys will be boys was over used. Fortunately, today businesses provide sexual harassment workshops, grievance procedures, and policies for their employees. Sexual harassment is a form of sexual discrimination according to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It describes sexual harassment as any unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and any other verbal or physical conduct that is sexual in nature. These acts will affect the individual’s employment security, interfere with work performance, and create an intimidating or hostile work environment. (Welsh, Carr, and Macuarrie)

There is another type of harassment termed quid pro quo, a Latin term that means something for something. This occurs when sexual favors are made as a condition for employment, promotions, benefits, or other desired job assignments. Traditionally, females are harassed more often than men, but today the numbers are more balanced than they were forty years ago. For example, “The majority of complaints come from women, however the number of complaints filed by men is increasing, along with increasing numbers of men filing against female supervisors” (Welsh, Carr, and Macuarrie)

Nonetheless, daily experiences of sexual harassment are still under reported out of fear of retaliation and social ostracizing. For example, “There are many reasons why victims are reluctant to make allegations of sexual harassment, including fear of losing their jobs or otherwise hurting their careers, fear of not being believed, the belief that nothing can or will be done to stop the harassment, and embarrassment, shame, or guilt at being harassed” (Welsh, Carr, and Macuarrie)Women are no longer nearly alone in being the victims of sexual harassment; members of other minority groups ( gays, lesbians, bi-sexuals, and transgender) are also victims of sexual harassment in the workplace.

Individual characteristics affects whether a person will be harassed in the workplace. According to the vulnerable victim hypothesis, women of color are more likely to be targeted for sexual harassment. Likewise, women of color are more likely to experience racially inclined forms of sexual harassment. They may be asked to perform acts that are demeaning or vulgar. (Oral and anal sex) Women of color are more likely to experience general harassment, discrimination in hiring, and promotion than white women. (Wilson, Fiona, and Thompson)Also, young, single women are more likely to experience greater sexual harassment than older, married women. According to a study, colleagues often perceive young, single women as challenging the traditional family structure. As a result, these victims are often seen as less protected and more sexually available. Yet, women who are married and older often have less rewarding jobs, receive fewer promotions, and are paid less than younger, childless women. Finally, women who formally educated are more likely to be harassed due to power threat perspective by the victimizer.

With the changing ideas of what a family should look like, member of other sexual orientations are being harassed. This statement is so because it has been found that society privileges a single version of masculinity above other preferences. A study conducted in 2008 found that 37 percent of gay and lesbian’s people reported being harassed in their workplace. Another 12 percent reported being fired because of their sexual orientation. Transgender people reported similar numbers.  For example, in one study, a gay electronics technician who worked at a firehouse reported that he began experiencing sexual harassment by his co-workers.  One employee even refused to clean showers at the firehouse because he said that they were filthy because of him. Several employees even threatened to kill him. In another instance, a police officer transitioned from male to female while on the job. After the transition, she was the victim of severe harassment by fellow officers. She was even forced to undergo psychological revaluation. Consequently, she was transferred to an unfavorable position. (Wilson, Fiona, and Thompson)

The causes of sexual harassment in the workplace are often very complex and rooted in politics, psychology, and socialization. Working under hostile conditions can be a miserable experience for the victims and innocent co-workers. There is no occupation that is immune to sexual harassment. Although reports support that women in professional fields, that had traditionally excluded them, are more likely to experience harassment. These include blue collar environments, such as policing, firefighting, and mining. These environments are more often sexist environments that include sexual joking, sexually explicit graffiti or objects, and viewing of internet pornography. Women are 3 to 7 times more likely to be harassed in an environment like this. (Wilson, Fiona, and Thompson) Although businesses are doing much to combat the war on sexual harassment in the workplace, much more needs to be done to establish a safe work environment for all. Businesses most start offering workshops and seminars that will teach tolerance in conjunction with those workshops that detail what rights an employee has if he/she has been the victim of sexual harassment on the job.

Works Cited

Welsh, Sandy, Jacquie Carr, Barbara Macuarrie, and Audrey Huntley. 2006. I’m Not Thinking of it as Sexual Harassment- Understanding Harassment across Race and Citizenship. Gender & Society 20:87-107.

Wilson, Fiona and Paul Thompson. 2001. Sexual Harassment as an Exercise of Power. Gender, Work, and Organization 8:61-83.