Preventing Sexual Harassment at the Workplace | Different Types of Workplace Harassment

HoffsTech

22 Aug 202205:17

Summary

TLDRShelly discusses the critical issue of preventing sexual harassment in the workplace, emphasizing the need for companies to adopt and enforce zero-tolerance policies. She outlines the three types of harassment: visual, verbal, and physical, and stresses the importance of recognizing and addressing these behaviors to ensure a safe and supportive work environment. The video also encourages viewers to take action if they are victims or witnesses, and promotes Shelly's courses on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Takeaways

🌟 Preventing sexual harassment in the workplace is crucial for ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all employees.
🛡️ Companies must enforce a zero tolerance policy on sexual harassment to protect employees and maintain a healthy work culture.
📚 Anti-harassment training is often required by law and is a key tool in educating employees about appropriate workplace behavior.
👀 Visual harassment includes sharing inappropriate pictures or content and can significantly impact team dynamics within an organization.
🗣️ Verbal harassment encompasses a range of behaviors from sexual advances to derogatory comments, often dismissed as 'just how they are'.
🤝 Physical harassment is the most overt form of sexual harassment, including unwanted touching and blocking movement, and is often underreported.
🚫 It's important to recognize and address all forms of sexual harassment, regardless of the victim's gender or sexual orientation.
💡 Reporting sexual harassment can be challenging due to fear of retaliation, but it's essential for creating a safe workplace.
👊 Organizations must take action when their zero tolerance policy is violated to demonstrate their commitment to a harassment-free environment.
📈 By fostering a culture of inclusivity and respect, companies can improve employee performance and the quality of their services and products.
📘 Shelly offers courses on diversity, equity, and inclusion, which can help organizations prevent sexual harassment and build a more inclusive workplace.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the video script?
-The main topic discussed in the video script is preventing sexual harassment in the workplace.
Why is it important to have a zero tolerance policy for sexual harassment in the workplace?
-It is important to have a zero tolerance policy for sexual harassment in the workplace because it ensures everyone has a safe space, promotes a supportive and happy work environment, and allows employees to perform at their best.
What are the legal requirements for companies regarding anti-harassment training?
-Many companies are legally required to provide anti-harassment training to their employees.
What are the different types of sexual harassment mentioned in the script?
-The script mentions three types of sexual harassment: visual, verbal, and physical.
Can you provide an example of visual harassment in the workplace?
-An example of visual harassment includes sharing inappropriate pictures or drawings, either online or offline, and sending obscene emails or texts.
What is an example of verbal harassment and how is it often handled in the workplace?
-Verbal harassment can include requests for sexual favors with threats, spreading rumors about someone's sex life, making demeaning jokes or remarks, and commenting on someone's appearance. It is often handled by dismissing the victim's feelings or telling them they misunderstood.
What are some examples of physical harassment?
-Physical harassment includes sexual assault, sexual gesturing and staring, unsolicited touching such as kissing, stroking, and rubbing, and blocking movement like cornering someone or not allowing them to leave a room.
Who can be a victim of sexual harassment, regardless of gender or sexual orientation?
-Sexual harassment can happen to anyone, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, although it is often aimed at women.
What should one do if they are a victim or witness to sexual harassment?
-If one is a victim or witness to sexual harassment, they should report it and file a formal complaint if necessary.
How can organizations demonstrate that they do not tolerate sexual harassment?
-Organizations can demonstrate they do not tolerate sexual harassment by enforcing their zero tolerance policy and taking action when it is violated.
What is the role of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in preventing sexual harassment?
-DEI practices play a crucial role in preventing sexual harassment by fostering a culture of respect, awareness, and inclusivity, as taught in the speaker's pluralsight courses.
How can viewers access the speaker's courses on DEI practices?
-Viewers can access the speaker's courses on DEI practices by visiting hofstech.com/dei.

Outlines

00:00

🛡️ Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Shelly discusses the critical issue of preventing sexual harassment in the workplace, emphasizing the need for a safe and supportive environment for all employees. She stresses the importance of companies adopting a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and providing anti-harassment training, which is often legally required. Despite these measures, enforcement of these policies is crucial for ensuring a safe workplace. Shelly outlines the different types of sexual harassment: visual, which includes inappropriate pictures or drawings and obscene emails or texts; verbal, encompassing requests for sexual favors, spreading rumors about someone's sex life, and derogatory jokes or remarks; and physical, which involves sexual assault, unwanted touching, and blocking movement. She points out that harassment can affect anyone, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, and encourages victims and witnesses to report such incidents. Shelly also mentions her courses on diversity, equity, and inclusion, which are available on her website, hofstech.com, to help educate on these issues.

05:01

💬 Engaging with the Community on Workplace Harassment

In the second paragraph, Shelly invites viewers to share their strategies for preventing sexual harassment in their workplaces in the comments section. She also encourages viewers to like, subscribe, and share the video to spread awareness on this important topic. The paragraph ends with a positive note, wishing viewers a great day, which serves to engage the audience and promote a sense of community around the issue of workplace harassment.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment refers to unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment. In the video, it is the central issue being discussed, with the speaker emphasizing the importance of preventing it in the workplace to ensure a safe and supportive environment for all employees.

💡Zero Tolerance Policy

A zero tolerance policy is a strict rule or principle that allows no deviation or exceptions, particularly in the context of the video, it refers to a company's commitment to not tolerate any form of sexual harassment. The speaker argues that companies must enforce such policies to ensure that everyone feels safe and supported in their work environment.

💡Anti-Harassment Training

Anti-harassment training is educational programs provided to employees to inform them about what constitutes harassment and how to report it. The video mentions that while many companies provide this training, it is legally required and crucial for preventing sexual harassment in the workplace.

💡Visual Harassment

Visual harassment involves the use of inappropriate images or gestures that are sexual in nature. The video gives examples such as sharing offensive pictures or drawings, and obscene emails or texts, which can have a detrimental effect on the work environment.

💡Verbal Harassment

Verbal harassment includes making unwelcome sexual remarks, jokes, or comments. The video explains that this type of harassment can be subtle and often goes unreported because the victim's feelings are dismissed, and they may be accused of misunderstanding the situation.

💡Physical Harassment

Physical harassment encompasses any unwelcome physical contact or actions of a sexual nature. Examples provided in the video include sexual assault, unsolicited touching, and blocking movement. This form of harassment is highlighted as being particularly egregious and often underreported.

💡Unconscious Bias

Unconscious bias refers to the implicit attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions. The video suggests that some instances of visual harassment may occur due to unconscious bias, where individuals unknowingly perpetuate inappropriate behavior they have been exposed to.

💡Gaslighting

Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation where a person seeks to sow seeds of doubt in a targeted individual, making them question their own memory, perception, or sanity. In the context of the video, it is mentioned as a harmful response to victims of harassment who are told they 'misunderstood' when they report incidents.

💡Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

DEI practices aim to create a workplace that is welcoming and accessible to all individuals, regardless of their background. The video mentions that the speaker teaches DEI practices in their courses, which are designed to foster a supportive and inclusive work environment that can help prevent harassment.

💡Pluralsight Courses

Pluralsight is a technology learning platform that offers courses on various topics, including DEI. The video promotes the speaker's courses on Pluralsight that focus on increasing mental health awareness and managing technical professionals, which are relevant to fostering a workplace free from harassment.

💡Reporting Harassment

Reporting harassment is the act of formally communicating instances of inappropriate behavior to authorities or management. The video encourages individuals to report any incidents of sexual harassment and stresses the importance of organizations taking action when their zero tolerance policy is violated.

Highlights

The importance of preventing sexual harassment in the workplace for a safe and supportive environment.

The necessity for companies to adopt a zero tolerance policy regarding sexual harassment.

The legal requirement for companies to provide anti-harassment training.

The issue of companies not enforcing zero tolerance policies despite their existence.

The impact of a supportive workplace on employee performance and quality of services and products.

The three types of sexual harassment: visual, verbal, and physical.

Examples of visual harassment, including inappropriate pictures and obscene emails.

The role of unconscious bias in visual harassment.

Characteristics of verbal harassment and how it's often excused or dismissed.

The harmful effects of gaslighting victims of harassment when their feelings are disregarded.

Examples of physical harassment and its underreporting due to privacy concerns.

The universal risk of sexual harassment affecting anyone regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

The importance of speaking up as a victim or witness to sexual harassment.

The fear of job loss as a barrier to reporting sexual harassment.

The responsibility of organizations to take action when their zero tolerance policy is violated.

The potential for unchecked harassment to encourage more offenders.

Resources for learning about DEI practices to support diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

A call to action for viewers to prevent sexual harassment in their workplaces.