Workplace Sexual Harassment and Power

Workplace sexual harassment may come from supervisors or co-workers and is usually about exercising power over the victims.

As well as being a workplace issue, it also occurs in doctors', dentists', lawyers' and therapists' offices, as well as at colleges and universities.

The sexual harassment by a landlord towards a tenant is viewed by the courts as being workplace sexual harassment.

This type of behaviour may be encouraged by norms in the society, stereotyping, lack of communication and lack of consequences, which make it easy for it to persist unchallenged.

However, it is illegal. The Canada Human Rights Act, Criminal Code of Canada and Canadian Labour Code all prohibit sexually harassing behaviour.

Workplace Sexual Harassment

Workplace sexual harassment can take many forms including:
staring and leering, howling, whistling, cat calls, derogatory comments, innuendoes, sexually explicit comments or jokes (including those delivered by email), unwelcome flirting, inappropriate touching or fondling, sexist remarks, displaying pornography, following and blocking, requiring sexual favours in return for job security, sexual assault and rape.

Workplace Sexual Harassment versus Flirting

Consensual sex, physical affection and mutually enjoyed flirting do not constitute sexual harassment.

Dealing With Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Many victims of sexual harassment in the workplace fail to report it. There are many reasons for this.

• Some people fear that they won't be taken seriously or will not receive support if incidents are reported.
• Some are unaware of the reporting procedure.
• Some people don't want to rock the boat or feel that reporting incidents will not change anything.
• Sometimes victims don't trust what they believe happened, or may be afraid of the harasser.
• In some cases, they may be afraid of getting the harasser into trouble.

Ways to Handle Sexual Harassment Issues

However, sexual harassment does not usually go away if ignored; in fact, it gets worse. For dealing with this problem visit Sexual Harassment At Work and How to Deal With It

Employees can check the employer's policy on harassment to know how to handle the issue. Harassers may have more than one victim in the workplace, so employees may be able to find support from others who have had the same experience.

Finally, employees can file complaints with their local human rights commission if they lose their jobs or suffer other negative effects of complaining about sexual harassment in the workplace.

Facts about Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment in the workplace can have profound effects on its victims. Possible emotional effects include depression, anxiety, anger, fear, embarrassment, stress and feelings of shame, humiliation, degradation and powerlessness.

Victims may also experience physical effects such as headaches, nausea, stomach pains and ulcers, loss of appetite, illness, disturbed sleep and dependence on alcohol or drugs.

There are also effects on the victim's performance at work. Someone who is being sexually harassed may be late for or absent from work and may find it difficult to work. That person may also end up leaving the job or requesting a transfer, resulting in loss of income and benefits.

Employers may find that these employees have to be reassigned to areas where they are less effective. The work environment in general becomes less productive and morale may be low. Sexual harassment lawsuits can also be costly.