Unfortunately, sexual harassment has been problematic in the workplace for as long since there have been businesses hiring people. Fortunately, now businesses and government agencies on all levels—from the local to the national—are actively working to eradicate the problem.
Though this is undoubtedly excellent news of the highest significance, it also highlights the need for company leaders to take further measures to eliminate sexual harassment in the workplace and ensure their firms are in accordance with local regulations. If you are planning to conduct sexual harassment employee training in the near future, the following is an overview of the five most essential problems that should be covered throughout the course of the training.
Distributing Material that is not Suitable for Public Consumption
If an employee communicates explicit sexual depictions or material with their coworkers, it is feasible to consider this to be a kind of overt sexual harassment, and this is not an unreasonable assumption to make. The culprit should know that anything sexual might be offensive, and greater training obviously may be needed to avoid such misunderstandings.
It’s possible that the victim misunderstood the context of an otherwise harmless photograph that was shared online in certain instances. As such, it is important to make the offender know that any conduct that may be seen as sexual in nature is unacceptable.
Expressions That Are Neither Desirable Nor Appropriate
There are some hand gestures that, while in a certain culture, they are not seen as rude in any way, in another civilization they have a completely different connotation. This is because various societies have developed distinct social mores.
The middle finger and the middle finger with the tip lifted are both included in these hand motions. It is essential that employees be fully made aware of the possibility that some apparently benign hand gestures may in fact be highly offensive, and that these gestures should most definitely be avoided at all costs. Educating workers on this topic is crucial.
Sexually Explicit Comments Made About one’s Attractiveness or the Clothing they Choose to Wear
Even while it’s usually OK to compliment someone on their appearance, doing so in a way that even slightly implies approval of their attractiveness might be perceived as crossing an inappropriate border.
Employees ought to be kept informed that every potential comment that has the opportunity to be interpreted as emanating from an associated with sex place seems to have the tendency to be interpreted as bullying and has to be ignored or otherwise, they could be held responsible for their conduct. This is because any statement which has the capacity to be seen as commencing from a sexual spot has the ability to be seen as coming from a sexual position and has the capacity to be
In addition, remarks that are aimed towards a particular gender will be viewed as a more serious kind of harassment. People would prefer it if their performance in their job, rather than their orientation or looks, was taken into consideration when evaluating them for promotion or advancement opportunities. The information presented here is something that each member of your team must be aware of.
Constantly Putting Forward Sexual Dates and Requests for Favors to Be Carried Out
When two workers spend enough time together in the same environment, it is inevitable that they would develop romantic sentiments for each other. That by itself shouldn’t be a cause for any kind of concern or fear.
But if one worker regularly asks out another to the extent that the latter begins to feel unsafe, then the workplace can no longer be considered safe for any worker. Your staff members have a responsibility to be mindful of the potential for crossing the line into the realm of harassment when they repeatedly ask the same person out on dates.
Unwanted and unwarranted physical contact with another person
There is a possibility that any form of physical contact (https://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/worklife/02/08/cb.getting.physical.at.wor) that takes place in the workplace might be deemed inappropriate. If an employee has even the remotest suspicion that the encounter might be improper, they should stay clear of it totally. In most circumstances, a high five is acceptable, and potentially even a slap on the shoulder as well.
All of these behaviors can be misconstrued, no matter how innocent or innocuous the offending party intends for them to be interpreted as. It is imperative actions can’t be construed as sexual, such as talking to a coworker while pressing up against them or wrapping an arm around a coworker’s waist as they greet them.
Employees also need to be made aware of the fact that some behaviors, such as gazing over the shoulder of a colleague while brushing up against that coworker, may potentially be seen as sexual harassment.
