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Have you ever experienced sexual harrassment in the workplace, or dealt with someone who has?
If so, did you blow the whistle? How? If not, do you feel like your company is equipped to handle it if the situation arose? How?
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2 Answers
As the VP of HR I became aware of these matters as they occured. In the large global company I was in we had our share of these. Only once did I feel that a situation was improperly handled. Most often the situation was well investigated and handled as the facts dictated.
In my experience, I find few instances of SH to exist (a good thing) and most often either a difference of opinion or a embellishment of a situation in order to avoid something unpleasant. It is the latter that concern me most. These instances detract significantly from legitimate issue and make it harder to manage true matters of SH.
I've never had to report sexual harassment however; it was my responsibility to investigate, determine fault and then decide the appropriate discipline.
When first in-taking the victim (alleged) statement you need to be empathetic to her/his situation without agreeing that what happened was sexual harassment. The investigation must be handled in a confidential manner with the victim and witnesses told that all information received will be handled as discretely as possible.
While the number of situations that mount to the legal definition of harassment is not great; if there is one it is too many. Quite often the type of harassment being alleged falls into the hostile work environment. If a company truly is interested in treating all employees, customers and vendors with respect it should establish a standard of conduct that is well above the level of the law and should be classified as inappropriate behavior rather than sexual harassment or another former of harassment.
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