In today's ever increasing litigious environment, it's important for companies to fully understand what constitutes harassment in the workplace, the steps that can be taken to prevent it, and therefore protect the bottom-line.
Harassment can manifest itself in the workplace in a variety of forms:
- Derogatory comments of a sexual nature or based on gender
- Comments about clothing, personal behavior, or a person's body
- Sexual or gender-based jokes or teasing
- Terms of endearment, such as "honey," "dear," "sweetheart," "babe"
- Leers
- Wolf Whistles
- Lies or rumors about a person's personal or sex life
- Looking up and down (elevator eyes)
Prevention and education are wise business decisions that can ensure that the company management is is protecting the organization and its employees.
