Sexual Harassment
Sexual Harassment is any unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature (Roberts 1). Sexual harassment has always been a vague term. What one woman sees as sexual harassment, another woman doesn't find offensive. Businesses are just now deciding to take action, but some are still unsure how to handle it. Within the past 10 years, courts have been faced with tons of sexual harassment cases. Women are not afraid to fight anymore. Title VII and the Civil Rights amendment are now protecting women against sexual harassment. Employers can now be found liable for sexual harassment claims. The last ten years have proved that sexual harassment is something women do not have to take anymore. There are things the victims can do and almost have to do in todays workplace. Sexual harassment has slightly changed in the last few years for the better. On the job sexual harassment is not a recent problem. The American court system did not decide the first sexual harassment case under Title VII until 1976. "The wider public appears not to have fully appreciated the problem's scope until 1991, when the Senate Judiciary Committee held hearings on Anita Hill's charges agains
The victims of sexual harassment may be a man or a woman. The victim doesn't have to be of the opposite sex. The harasser can be the victim's supervisor, an agent of the employer, a supervisor in another area, a co-worker, or a non-employee. The victim can also be someone affected by the offensive conduct, not particularly the person harassed ("Facts....Harassment", 1). Unlawful sexual harassment may occur without economic injury to or discharge of the victim. The harassers' conduct must be unwelcome. The victim should go directly to the harasser and inform them that their conduct is unwelcome. The victim should also use an employer complaint mechanism or grievance system available. There are certain things that a victim should do. Don't be quiet. If there has been a violation, let the world know, especially if others may be near. Don't be so nice. Socialized to swallow their complaints, women often allow themselves to be maneuvered into situations. When faced with someone who's unreasonable, just say no. Don't be so private. Use public staff meetings to discuss unwelcome behavior. Without naming names, but with the offender in the room, sketch the nature of the harassment and ask the group if you were right to feel troubled. Next, say that you expect the harassment to stop or you'll file an official complaint. Do the paperwork. Don't wait to file a complaint. Waiting will ruin the victim's credibility. Make dated notations in a date book and jot down anything that is relevant. Grow up and lighten up. Recognize that freedom isn't free; standing up to the harasser may cost the victim her job, promotion, or a friend (Dickerson, 32). In the end, only the lawyers win when the battle gets to a courtroom. There isn't always something a woman can do about unwanted male attention until after the fact, but when there is, women have to act (Dickerson, 32). The victim can do more than they think
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1296
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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