Do you think advocating that women run to authority figures at the first sign of Sexual harassment adds to or

Question

takes away credibility from the fight for equality?

How can society better teach women to stick up for themselves in these types of situations, to develop personal authority and not leverage organizational authority?

Answer 1

"Society" has bigger problems. A few authorities on the subject of sexual harassment is all we need. Maybe a "Complete Idiot's Guide to Sexual Harassment" should be in the works.

Answer 2

it's not an equal world the more rights you had in the start the less you have now. They usually just kick the harasser in the crouch anyway.

Answer 3

Hmm so just when should a woman or man complain about sexual harassment-when they're being raped? It is against the law-why would you want a situation like this to escalate? Obviously you're dealing with people who believe illegal and anti-social behavior is acceptable in the workplace-just how rationally do you think these people are going to act when confronted with their behavior?

btw: Often these people prey on the young; the new employees; the most vulnerable people they can; but othertimes they do whatever they feel like. I've stuck up for myself but when a jerk acts this way-they rarely stop without management involvement-whether it's against the law or company policy or not.

Do you also have this attitude towards employees who tell their supervisors about theft or threats of violence? or is it just sexual harassment "claims" that destroy an employee's credibility?

Answer 4

Here's how:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3K-mrlYG...

Answer 5

The problem with guidelines that govern sexual harassment is that most people (both men and women) don't know them. They don't research them, they don't know what their rights are, and they really don't understand them clear enough. This in my opinion means that most supervisors are not doing their job to ensure that their employee’s have the tools needed to combat such a touchy topic.

From what I’ve seen in both life and what I've read in here, many men are under the false assumption that all a woman has to do is say she was sexually harassed and they lose their jobs, go to jail or face harsh consequences.  Some how, some where someone has convinced most of these men that a woman's word alone can the sword that he falls on and hurt his reputation and career as a whole. And because some "fools" believe this, they chose to come here and rant about it vs. using that same time and energy wasted on talking bad about all women, and RESEARCH their rights in respects to being accused of sexual harassment, or laying claim to being sexually harassed. Men should look into their companies guidelines and see what constitutes sexual harassment for starters, how it's dealt with within the company itself, and what are the requirements for taking the claims a step further (such as legal actions, or law suits). Because what a lot of men fail to understand that a woman can't just say you sexually harassed her, and that be the know all end of the discussion (cased closed). And if it is, and there is not an investigation held to look into the claims of the woman, then he has a legal leg to stand on in regards to sexual discrimination (You can’t be fired because you’re a man and a woman said you did something too her, she has to prove it). Any employer or company is required to look into the claims (by law as far as I know) of anyone prior to making a final decision on termination of employment/benefits or possible jail time.

And women need to take the time to research what exactly is sexual harassment before placing claims on an individual of such actions. Women need to find out what exactly a man must do (both by company guidelines and the law) to be considered sexual harassment and LEARN how to handle the issues as they arise. Instead of causing a scene and making it known to everyone in the work place that this is what she’s planning to do, (if I’m not mistaken) by law she has to give her respective management a chance to handle the issue at the lowest levels possible prior to making a claim to the companies corporate office. She has to give him warning on the first indication that his actions are crossing the line. And she has to tell him that if the behavior continues she will inform management. If he still continues with the behavior after the second time (and counseling from the higher ups) then she has a case for sexual harassment. But SHE HAS TO WARN HIM FIRST! This is where these “that’s sexual harassment and I don’t have to take it” commercial comes in. And if (and only if) the behavior continues after one or two attempts to resolve the issue on her own (or with the help of management) then she has a case.

I’ve heard many people toss around claims of sexual harassment. But the claims never made to legal authorizes because the two parties involved didn’t seek to resolve their differences in the proper manner. There is a way to handle every situation, and a time and place for everything. And if men and women are not mature or responsible enough to understand that, these claims can both backfire, and end the careers/employment of both parities involved. And don’t’ get it twisted guys, women can be charged with sexual harassment as well. I’ve witness this first hand with a lady that I knew who always flirted with a married man. He warned her twice to stop, the third time was a charm; and she was out of there like a home run at the World Series. So women have to understand that you can’t just claim sexual harassment if a man gives you a complement or ask you out on a date while at work, and men have to understand that merely being socialable with a woman does not win you a golden ticket to a sexual harassment claim. It has to be proven that this behavior took place. Often co-workers are questioned, statements taken, and (if the company is handling it properly) an investigation is conducted and completed prior to any claims being resolved. KNOW what it means, KNOW what the consequence are of making a claim (or false claim) or carrying out the actions, and KNOW how to combat it with in your work place (stopping yourself from doing it, stopping others from doing it, and reporting it when you see  it).

Answer 6

Men who do this generally don't cease and desist unless management gets into the picture.  

AND  

Because if it does not stop - then the women are blamed for not adhering to the chain of command.  If she then has to assert her rights in court there is a problem.    You are told to develop a record.    

Answer 7

No, going to authority figures about harassment does not take away credibility. Yes, a person should try to remedy the situation firsthand, but if that is unsuccessful, the the chain of command needs to be employed. Letting harassment continue is condoning it.

Answer 8

Yes, because I have worked and still do in a maintence department in a production plant. I have seen women use it to their advantage. It is ok with them sometimes but not other times.  you should advocate for unwanted harassments. If you tell them no and it continues, then by all means tell. I've work with men for a long time and i always say , if I don,t want to hear I can always walk away, but I draw the line at don't touch me. If you can't walk away most of the time they respect that. You must speak up and let them know.

Answer 9

I think the whole sexual harassment is taken too literally.  I used to work in health care and one of my employees wanted to file charges on a client because he called her sweetie.  He was like 70 and that was just how he talked.  Ridiculous!

We need to explain to women how to differentiate harassment from stupidity. Most stuff can be settled by simply talking.

Answer 10

Depends on the severity of the claim.  If it's something really serious, then yes, I believe she should go straight to upper management.  If it's her boss or a superior, she should go straight to upper management.  

If she's uncomfortable with some jokes he's telling or the way he treats women then I believe in most cases the woman should at least speak up and let the person know she is uncomfortable and to please stop.  If he fails to do so then I think she has a right to lodge a complaint.

Answer 11

Running to authority figures at the first sign of s/h will make those in authority stop listening. Women should say something to the harasser first. Be firm, be determined and be calm. If need be, do this in front of as many people as possible. It shows you mean business. Women will learn to stick up for themselves by helping each other realize that it is OK. Women should not compete, they should support. As for equality, respect should be expected by both sexes. That is equality.

Answer 12

Do you really want MORE fighting in the work place!... jk

I would love to agree with you on this because I'm a big advocate for personal accountability but I think the organized approach works much better because the lines are well defined. The better the education of the workers about what sexual harassment really is; coupled with good management to interface problems; the better results. Leaving it up to each member to decide what the lines are and when you are crossing them just lends itself to more problems and less solutions.

btw... I think the number of women willing to stick up for themselves might be larger then your sentiment allows... most women are not that feeble.    

Answer 13

I don't know about your workplace, but anywhere I've worked has had a manadatory workshop on sexual harassment.  Such workshops always cover how to deal best with such situations, and have never advocated "running to authority figures at the first sign" of harassment. They tend more to point out the ambiguities of different types of situations and how they were resolved, and to give women (and men) resources so that when there is a problem they know where to go with it.

I think the question is based on false premises, in other words.

Answer 14

Its happening more and more to men too. I'd like to think that I wouldn't have to resort to telling tales to fix the problem or wouldn't identify as a potential victim in the first place.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19536167/

Answer 15

There are certain things that are legally required when you have a sexual harassement claim.  You are to tell the person you are not comfortable with that, if you don't feel comfortable or that did not work go to your supervisor.  If the supervisor then does nothing and the behavior continues you go to the supervisors boss... and onward and upward.  Work for most people is a difficult place to stand up for yourself.  At work their is a chain of command and you need to respect it so the company does not become liable.  I don't think that it takes away credibility from the fight for equality because you or I; man or women; can use this system to better end conflicts at work.

Answer 16

No. I so not think so. Women should learn to scream. Louder.

Answer 17

i think it kind of takes away the credibility. women should stick up for themselves and shouldnt have to go crying to authority figures. if it gets out of control, that is different.  

Answer 18

Quality companies have well-defined procedures for dealing with sexual harassment cases, and employees are trained in those.  It is incumbent upon an employee to follow protocol and not "stick up for themselves" if that is not what is proscribed.

Sheesh.

Answer 19

What can happen if they don’t nip it in the bud, and try and report it at a later date if it continues, they are asked Why didn’t you come to us before now.  It’s too late to do anything.  

Also, they shouldn’t have to be put in that situation in the first place.