Bullying is a subject that has gotten a lot of attention in recent years, and for good reason. Bullying comes in all forms, that includes acts that fall under the heading of sexual intimidation, which is classified as a form of sexual harassment under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Along with that classification comes guidelines and penalties applied to aggressors who attempt to use sexual intimidation in the workplace.
If your workplace becomes uncomfortable due to sexual harassment, you would like to think that you could turn to your boss to get the help you need. But what if your boss is the one who is making you, and perhaps others, uncomfortable? What could happen if you deny the physical advances of sexual intent that your boss sends your way?
In any sort of interpersonal communication situation, things can get out of hand if improper assumptions are constantly being made. Just because someone holds the door open for you at a shopping mall does not automatically mean that they are petitioning you for sexual favors. Instead of generalizing the things people say or do under the heading of sexual harassment, it is best to understand what harassment is and how the laws apply.
Sexual coercion is the act of getting someone to “consent” to sex when they do not want to by using guilt, blackmail, tricks, or using the victim’s weakness against them (for example, offering drinks to a recovering alcoholic to get that person to consent to sex). Sexual coercion can cause emotional and psychological trauma that could last for many years. It is important for people to be able to understand the different situations in which coercion can occur so they can do their best to avoid it.
Sexual harassment in the workplace is demeaning, destructive, and violates federal and state civil rights laws. It is important for people to know that there does not need to be physical contact with an aggressor for their to be an incident worth reporting. Sexual intimidation is a form of sexual harassment that has been getting more attention lately because of the gender issues society is tackling. In order to fight sexual intimidation, you first need to understand how to identify it.
The workplace is where a diverse group of people come together to try and help the company grow and sustain itself for many years. A diverse group of people means a wide array of influences, backgrounds, and opinions. Sometimes a statement or suggestion made by your boss could mean one thing to your boss, but something completely different to you. The key to good communication in the workplace is to make sure that differences are discussed and crossing the line is never accepted.
In the workplace, as in life, it is important to have respect for the people that you deal with. Disrespect in the workplace can create an unpleasant working environment and negatively affect the careers of staff members. A person who engages in sexual harassment is showing a lack of respect for the people with whom they work, and even for themselves. When it is a manager or executive who engages in sexual harassment, then the situation can get even worse.
The ability to identify acts of sexual harassment make it easier for people to help in stopping harassment. Any form of sexual harassment is going to have emotional and psychological effects on its victims, and those victims might even experience work problems that could cost them their job. Sexual bribery is a form of sexual harassment that can be extremely damaging to the victims and the companies they work for.
Sexual coercion is a crime that can be committed in many different ways by many different types of people. While it is more common for men to attempt to coerce women, it does happen that women use sexual coercion on men. It is important to understand what sexual coercion is and recognize how it happens to be able to prevent it.
Sexual harassment intimidation can come in a wide variety of forms, but it generally involves unwanted sexual attention without physical contact. Just because physical contact is not made does not make the situation less impacting on the victim. In some situations, sexual harassment does not involve the desire for sexual activity. Intimidation is the act of trying to shame or embarrass someone based on their gender or gender identity. In that context, does intimidation qualify as harassment?