Sexual Sexual HarassmentHarassment

Legal DefinitionLegal Definition

Quid pro QuoQuid pro Quo Hostile Working EnvironmentHostile Working Environment

““Sexual behavior at work can Sexual behavior at work can therefore remind men and women of therefore remind men and women of their unequal status in society more their unequal status in society more broadly and reinforce their inequality broadly and reinforce their inequality at work” (Cortina and Berdahl p3.)at work” (Cortina and Berdahl p3.)

Harasser can be of same sexHarasser can be of same sex

Harasser can be employed for another Harasser can be employed for another businessbusiness

Victim does not have to be the one targeted.Victim does not have to be the one targeted.

In 2000, there were 5332 sexual harassment In 2000, there were 5332 sexual harassment charges filed with the EEOC………..charges filed with the EEOC………..

Social Psychological Social Psychological DefinitionsDefinitions

These definitions do not require that These definitions do not require that negative outcomes for victims…..negative outcomes for victims…..

1) sexist remarks/behavior1) sexist remarks/behavior 2) inappropriate sexual advances that 2) inappropriate sexual advances that

do not result in work punishmentsdo not result in work punishments 3). Quid pro quo (wanted or unwanted)3). Quid pro quo (wanted or unwanted) 4) Sexual assault4) Sexual assault

Women are more likely to see Women are more likely to see behavior as sexually harassing. behavior as sexually harassing.

What does this mean to workplace What does this mean to workplace behavior?behavior?

Men are less likely to be sexually Men are less likely to be sexually harassed and more harassed for not harassed and more harassed for not adopting traditional conceptions of adopting traditional conceptions of gender. For example, they may be gender. For example, they may be teased for cooking at home.teased for cooking at home.

Women are also gender harassedWomen are also gender harassed

Sexual RacismSexual Racism

Combination of racist sexual Combination of racist sexual harassment.harassment.

This type of harassment is discussed, This type of harassment is discussed, but hasn’t been studied.but hasn’t been studied.

Theorizing SHTheorizing SH

NatureNature

NurtureNurture

PowerPower

Nurture and PowerNurture and Power

Who Harasses?Who Harasses?

86-90% SH cases are filed by women.86-90% SH cases are filed by women.

93% of harassers are men.93% of harassers are men.

Race/Ethnicity has not been studied Race/Ethnicity has not been studied as much. Seems like women of color as much. Seems like women of color would more likely be targets…..power.would more likely be targets…..power.

Outcomes to HarassmentOutcomes to Harassment

1) Lowered productivity1) Lowered productivity

2) Victims lose:2) Victims lose: Mental healthMental health MoneyMoney Job stabilityJob stability

Reporting SHReporting SH

Very few victims report SH.Very few victims report SH. Victims fear blame, disbelief, inaction and Victims fear blame, disbelief, inaction and

retaliation. 2/3 of women who DID report retaliation. 2/3 of women who DID report validate that these fears are true!!!!validate that these fears are true!!!!

Most women do NOT confront the Most women do NOT confront the harasser.harasser.

Most women look for support among Most women look for support among informal networks.informal networks.

But most women: avoid, deny and endure.But most women: avoid, deny and endure.

Eliminating SHEliminating SH

1) Most organizations have SH policies. But 1) Most organizations have SH policies. But top management must be willing to enforce top management must be willing to enforce policies. The more active organizations are policies. The more active organizations are at taking a firm stand against harassment, at taking a firm stand against harassment, the less likely workers report harassment.the less likely workers report harassment.

Options for Organs: Best to have wide Options for Organs: Best to have wide range of choicesrange of choices

Formal Grievance ProcedureFormal Grievance Procedure Informal Dispute ResolutionInformal Dispute Resolution

Training is the option most Training is the option most employers choose. However, employers choose. However, research does not show that training research does not show that training reduces SH.reduces SH.

Research shows that employing Research shows that employing more women in high places and more women in high places and more women overall helps with more women overall helps with preventing harassment.preventing harassment.