How to Fight Sexual Harassment In the Workplace

Sexual harassment is a serious issue that can create a hostile work environment and negatively impact an employee's well-being. It can take many forms, from unwelcome comments and advances to physical assault.

No one should feel unsafe or uncomfortable at work. This blog empowers you with knowledge and strategies to fight sexual harassment in the workplace. We will explore how to identify and respond to harassment, report incidents, and create a culture of respect.

What Is Sexual Harassment?

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) defines sexual harassment as “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature” (1).

Sexual harassment does not come in one variety. The harasser or victim can be a woman, a man, or a gender-fluid person. Harassment can be physical or verbal, and if verbal, it doesn’t have to be about the victim specifically. For example, a harasser’s comments disparaging all women or women in general constitutes a type of harassment. The key element is if the victim feels harassed, then there is harassment.

Prevalence of Sexual Harassment in Healthcare

For a variety of reasons, the medical industry is particularly prone to sexual harassment. As Jane van Dis, et al wrote for Harvard Business Review,

“Many factors make an organization prone to sexual harassment: a hierarchical structure, a male-dominated environment, and a climate that tolerates transgressions — particularly when they are committed by those with power. Medicine has all three of these elements. And academic medicine, compared to other scientific fields, has the highest incidence of gender and sexual harassment. Thirty to seventy percent of female physicians and as many as half of female medical students report being sexually harassed” (2).

Types of Healthcare Workplace Harassment

All types of sexual harassment are found in medical settings, from the smallest microaggressions to severe sexual threats. The medical profession is like any other workplace in this regard, and combating sexual harassment in hospitals and other healthcare settings is crucial.

Examples of sexual harassment can include:

  • Sexual comments
  • Sexual or offensive gestures
  • Sexual jokes
  • Sharing offensive imagery, such as pornography
  • Unwanted touching
  • Requests for sexual favors or quid pro quo
  • Sexual assault
  • Rape

Importance of Online Sexual Harassment Prevention Training

Training is crucial for medical industry harassment prevention, but perhaps by another word. As Freyd, J. J., & Smidt, A. M. write,

“While the word training dominates in this sphere, we are concerned that the term – and what the term training generally implies – is not the most effective method for reducing and ultimately eliminating sexual harassment and assault. Generally, training is associated with compliance and a rules-based process, whereas education is associated with complex understanding, critical thinking, and the acquisition of knowledge based on empirical research and theory development. While there are certainly skills and rules to learn, there is an even greater educational need to delve deeply into the roots of the problem, to nurture critical thinking and understanding, and to acquire knowledge. Included in this knowledge acquisition is the knowledge of principles (rather than black/white rules and regulations) to guide decision-making and institutional processes” (3).

In other words, education implies a deeper understanding of the issue of sexual harassment, the kind of deeper understanding that can truly make a difference.

What To Do if You’ve Been Sexually Harassed

Sexual harassment runs rampant in the medical workplace, but there are ways to combat the problem while maintaining your dignity. You can be a part of the medical industry harassment prevention. Understanding how to be effective moving forward can help you both personally and professionally. Here are a few tips:

  • Take note of the situation: If a situation is making you feel uncomfortable and it keeps occurring, start taking notes. Be sure to indicate the time, place, and what happened in detail. Keeping a journal will assist.
  • Note all surroundings and witnesses: If someone was around who also witnessed the incident, make sure to write down their name and what they saw. You may need their assistance in proving your case later on.
  • Don't stay quiet: If someone is harassing you, do not stay silent. Let the offender know what they are doing and that you will not stand for their behavior. You should notify the person that you will be reporting their behavior to administration and Human Resources.
  • Get help immediately: It is important to report the situation to Human Resources immediately. Also, tell your immediate supervisor unless they are the offender. There may be a sexual harassment liaison or program representative to help you with this issue.
  • Start investigating: If nothing happens right away, start investigating. Maybe this is a situation the administration is aware of and have done nothing because of the person's position. Start inquiring and finding out if this has happened to anyone else on the job. When you have others in the same situation, your complaint holds more weight.
  • Call the union: If you work in a union setting, now is the time to call the union representative. This person is concerned about your welfare and work conditions and will work on your behalf to get the situation resolved.
  • Do not sweep it under the rug: If the offender comes back with the same actions, be firm in your attitude. Report the situation again and let the offender and everyone else around you know that this is not acceptable by your standards.
  • Stay calm: When put under pressure, it is easy to lose your temper and get angry. Even if things are not going your way right now, stay calm. You want to demonstrate that you are able to keep your cool even in the face of adversity. When you lose your temper, you may be viewed as someone who is too much into their emotions, and they will not take your case as seriously.
  • Stay away from the offender: This may be very difficult if you work directly with this person. Speak to your supervisor to see if arrangements can be made to move you to another area in the office to keep you away from the offender.

These steps will give you leverage and help your case. It is not easy to be courageous, but standing up for your rights is important. This timeline will help you deal with the offender and get the help you need.

Implementing Policies and Procedures To Prevent and Address Sexual Harassment in Healthcare

However many positive steps someone can take once harassed, the onus shouldn’t be on the victims to prevent sexual harassment. It is crucial for businesses to implement workplace harassment policies for medical professionals. This is even more important in fields like medicine, which is prone to sexual harassment. Without systematic change and changes in culture to combat sexual harassment in hospitals and similar settings, nothing will change.

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References

  1. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Sexual Harassment.
  2. Van Dis, J., Stadum, L.; & Choo, E. Sexual Harassment Is Rampant in Health Care. Here’s How to Stop It. Harvard Business Review. 11.1.2018.
  3. Freyd, J. J., & Smidt, A. M. (2019). So you want to address sexual harassment and assault in your organization? Training is not enough; Education is necessary. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 20(5), 489–494.