More Articles

Decrease Sexual Harassment Claims In Your Company

What is sexual harassment?

Most employers recognize sexual harassment as a form of sex discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. There are two types of sexual harassment, “hostile environment.” and  “quid pro quo”. Sometimes the two types of behavior occur together. The person being harassed may be harmed emotionally, psychologically and even physically.

Taking a pro-active attitude towards decreasing sexual harassment

According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission(EEOC), “Prevention is the best tool to eliminate sexual harassment in the workplace. Employers are encouraged to take steps necessary to prevent sexual harassment from occurring.”

When an employer has a pro-active attitude he or she can decrease sexual harassment claims.This should include clearly communicating to employees that sexual harassment will not be tolerated. They can do so by providing sexual harassment training to their employees, by establishing an effective complaint or grievance process and taking immediate and appropriate action when an employee complains.

Additionally, taking preventive measures such as conducting employment background screens on prospective job applicants can weed out potential problem employees. Employers are often shocked at the information and inconsistencies a pre-employment screening can uncover. Employment background screening firm Accu-Screen, Inc. has the experience and resources to help you deter problem employees.
Understanding sexual harassment
Hostile environment is the most common form of sexual harassment. Hostile environment has occurred when it unreasonably interferes with a person’s work or academic performance or it creates an intimidating, hostile, abusive or offensive environment. It usually involves a pattern of repeated behavior, such as:

• Unwelcome sexual remarks, jokes or taunting
• Displaying of graphic descriptions of pornography
• Leering, staring or suggestive gestures
• Unwanted e-mails or letters
• Obscene phone calls
• Public humiliation
• Bashing due to sexual orientation

Quid pro quo is a Latin term meaning “this for that”. This form of harassment may be easier to recognize. Quid pro quo occurs when a person acting with authority, withholds, demands or promises a benefit by pressuring an employee or student to submit to unwelcome sexual conduct. It can include repeated requests for dates, demands or requests for sexual favors, unnecessary touching, grabbing, patting, pinching, a forced kiss and sexual assault (forced or non-consensual sexual intercourse). For example:

• A employee is denied a promotion after refusing to be romantically involved with his or her supervisor
• A college student receives a lower grade because after refusing to go on a date with the professor
  

It is important to note that sexual harassment can occur between people of the same gender. Additionally, the victim does not have to be the person harassed but could be anyone affected by the offensive conduct.

The negative effects of sexual harassment

In addition to the negative impact it cause to a victim’s life, sexual harassment can cause:

• Lawsuits against the company
• Low morale among emloyees
• Reduced productivity of business

It is important to take a pro-active attitude when dealing with sexual harassment issues.

It is essential to have a zero tolerance policy in place, training and a results oriented complaint or grievance process in place. Additionally, preventive measures during recruitment, such using employment background screening firm Accu-Screen, Inc. can help deter problem employees. Contact them today at www.accuscreen.com.