Sexual Harassment – Nothing LOL about it!!!

Not too many films have dared to broach the topic that this one chose to broach. The Hollywood flick Nine to Five which released in the 80s focused on the sexual harassment that a boss inflicts upon 3 of his employees. While some may have loved this movie and laughed their you-know-what out at the sexual innuendos that the movie boasted of, not many may have chosen to look at the darker side of things.

The truth of the matter is that sexual harassment is not something to be laughed about; by no means! If you think that you’ve had to deal with sexual innuendos being made while you’re at work; or you’ve found yourself at the receiving end of crass sexist jokes while at work, you’d know what we’re talking about.

Well, we aren’t suggesting you form your own Powerpuff bandwagon and get onto the case of that male chauvinistic boss. That might just cost you your job; and that wouldn’t be so pretty now, would it? But if you are putting up with sexual harassment at your workplace; here are some things to remember.

Be aware of what sexual harassment really is.

In most cases, we get so used to men sleazily passing by, while they brush against our bodies. We also get used to ignoring those ogling eyeballs which could be falling off their sockets when we wear that new skirt that fits oh-so-well. Railway stations, bus stations and almost every corner of the world, you might have already dealt with some sort of a weirdo or the other who has made a pass at you. While a pepper spray should be able to help in the case of the men you meet in the outside world, when it comes to your workplace, it may be a different story. Don’t turn a blind eye or stay silent about the incidence of sexual harassment at your workplace.

Sexual harassment would include any of the following:

• Sexually colored remarks
• Sexual demands, which may manifest themselves in the form of actions or words
• Overt physical contact or advances
• Showing of pornography

Do not encourage the culprit in question.

If you do brush off a comment or two by one of your male colleagues; you might think of it as a way to keep the issue at bay. But little do you know that turning a blind eye to it might actually work as encouragement for the deranged man. Ensure that you do not, in any way, encourage people who make any sort of advances at you.

For instance, if you notice him cracking a sexist or a sexual joke, do not burst out into giggles like Miss. Little Thirteen. Instead stand your ground and tell him firmly that you do not appreciate sexist humor and that it’d be better if he didn’t crack such jokes around you.  If he is the types who manages to menacingly stand over your shoulder every time you and he have to discuss business, you could firmly tell him to stand a little further since he’s crowding you.

The idea is to be a little firm, yet polite. Do not show him that you’re taking him head on. The key is to be non-confrontational.

Confide in an aide.

Talk to someone in your office about the whole deal. It is important that a colleague or your team head knows about the situation you’re dealing with. This way they’d be able to help you build up your case, in case you do decide to turn him into the authorities and file a report against him.

It would be advisable to talk to only one person. Getting too many people involved might put you at a risk of letting news leak out; and what seems like a serious problem to you might soon be feeding the mills of the gossip monger; and at the end of the day, you’ll be labeled ‘drama queen’ after people begin to believe that you pulled off this stunt just to get the extra mileage.

Build up a case that has a lot of substance to it.

Ensure that you do not let any of his sexual advances go unnoticed. Keep a tab on everything. Save those emails and SMSes for a later time. You could use it as evidence to build up your case, if you do have to report him to the authorities. Moreover, you could make a note in a diary and keep note of the comments (sexual) that he passed at you. You could try to include dates and places so that it makes things seem more realistic; and this way you might actually be able to rope in some witnesses.

If you do decide to pull the rope on that report you were longing to file against him since a long time now, ensure that you reason with the authorities in a calm manner. Breaking down into tears will not do you any good. In case the authorities do arrange for a confrontational session, do not back out of it or keep mum during the session. Ruffle a few feathers if you have to.

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