Sexual harassment in the workplace is unacceptable. Let’s be absolutely clear on that. But let’s also be just as clear that it’s a reality women have to face on a daily basis. It has always been hard for women to successfully manage this situation in a strategic manner — that is, so their careers are not negatively affected. If you find yourself being sexually harassed, as difficult as it may be, you need to remain strategic for the best outcome.
How to deal with sexual harassment: the reality
If the harassment has just started or is of the milder kind — innuendo, jokes, or inappropriate emails or text — there are some instances when it will be better to try and deal with it yourself rather than reporting it to HR. Certainly, if you do report it, HR procedures should protect you and ensure a proper investigation, but in reality you could find a black mark attached to your name. If you decide to report the situation to HR you need to remember that they work for the company and not for you; so your best interests often aren’t really their main priority.
Examine the power imbalance
In order to deal with sexual harassment you need to think about who it is that is harassing you and why. Are they a man in power, perhaps your boss? You need to be aware that if you don’t handle the situation strategically, he may very well develop a personal vendetta against you and your career.
When a woman reports sexual harassment, the image of the company is jeopardized. If she is reporting someone higher up in the business ladder, it damages the brand of the company; people begin to view it as corrupt and unstable. Some companies will try to punish you for this.
So what do you do about sexual harassment?
Be strategic, create alliances around the person harassing you, and if they are your boss, create an alliance with their own boss. You also need to realize that sometimes the best thing you can do is to simply brush it off and walk away, make it clear that you aren’t happy with their behavior but don’t make a scene.
Don’t tell everybody about it, don’t cry, and don’t bring HR into the equation unless it is absolutely necessary. You also need to prepare yourself for the gossip that could easily arise. It’s a small world and there’s a chance that soon enough everyone will know your business.
Recent studies found that the most common incidents of sexual harassment (56%) that were reported were instances where sexual comments or jokes were made, causing the respondents to feel offended. These kinds of incidents, while inappropriate, can be brushed off much easier than if you find yourself being sexually harassed physically.
Steps to stop sexual harassment
- Keeping a journal and document everything that happens. Should you feel you need to, record conversations as well.
- Pull the offender aside and tell them to stop. Also tell them that you have a record of their behavior and if they continue, you will make an official complaint. Often this is enough to halt the behavior.
- Don’t cry. The reality is if you get upset you are perceived as a woman who can’t handle others in a professional manner. By no means is this perception fair, but it is the reality.
Ultimately, when it comes to sexual harassment in the workplace, women need to be a lot more strategic in how they handle it. Women need to be tough when they find themselves in these situations, and show that they aren’t to be harassed and that they can handle and avert the difficult situation skilfully.
What about when it is serious?
There is a stage where it beyond negotiation. If the situation becomes criminal assault, where you find yourself being groped or having someone attempting to rape you, this is the time to involve HR and the police. There is no room for negotiation if you have been assaulted, and you have the right to full protection. However, by being strategic when the harassment starts, you may even prevent a serious occurrence happening.
Effects for victims of workplace sexual harassment
There are three serious consequences that derive from this harassment:
1. Health: the victims present symptoms of anxiety, stress, fatigue and depression.
2. Economic: there is a decrease in work performance among victims of harassment, they are absent more and even layoffs occur in retaliation for refusing the harassment.
3. Social: the victim becomes accused and changes their way of dressing and lifestyle. Sometimes they become the target of criticism.
There are some questions that should be taken into account when dealing with workplace sexual harassment, how to recognize it and what to do if we are victims of it. This crime always refers to all those behaviors that intimidate, that have to do with gestures, whistles, comments about our clothing or our body, touching, messages with sexual content on the cell phone. All that behavior that intimidates a person who is in a place of inferiority in power due to hierarchy, age, economy.
The experts assure that these comments about the body or the way of dressing at work should not be taken as simple opinions or messages, but that sexual harassment begins from these. It is important that companies create campaigns, workshops and moments of dialogue to avoid these behaviors within organizations. Men can also be victims of this phenomenon, however, the figures have shown that they are between 1% and 1.5%, so that women are the main victims.
What to do if I am a victim of workplace sexual harassment?
- Express your discomfort concisely, distance yourself from the aggressor, and avoid further interactions.
- Share the event with family members or people you trust.
- Talk to the person in charge of the company so they can take internal measures.
According to UN Women, worldwide “6% of women report that they have been victims of sexual violence by someone other than their husband or partner.”
It is important that you report and do not remain silent in the face of this situation. Remember that your complaint can prevent other women from being victims of the same aggressor in the future and you will be able to take the necessary measures in this situation.
