PROBLEMS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Problems of harassment whether real or rumored, can seriously affect employee morale and interfere with workplace productivity. Employees do not work well where they feel intimidated or threatened by unwelcome sexual attention.

Supervisors who claim "It doesn't happen here" generally subscribe to two false assumptions:

• If it happened here, I would know about it;

• Our people are nice folks who won't do that sort of thing.

True victims of sexual harassment are often very slow to come forward, if at all. Even "nice folks" can intimidate others due to misunderstandings or different attitudes.

It is also important to recognize that some people are excellent manipulators, able to put on one face in public and another when they are alone with a potential victim.

ENFORCE POLICY

• Make sure employees who bring charges do not face retaliation.
• Safeguard the rights of the accused.
• Investigate all sexual harassment charges quickly and thoroughly.
• Maintain accurate records of the investigation and the findings.
• Take immediate action when sexual harassment is discovered or suspected.
• Discipline appropriately any employee found to have engaged in sexual harassment.
• Safeguard your employees from third-party work-related sexual harassment.