Post by Subramaniam PG:
Comments are based on the article published in http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20130329170150-5973711-don-t-report-sexual-harrassment-advice-to-adrina-richards-and-to-you
This is a sensitive subject and would definitely require to appreciate the social aspects and legal aspects. In this particular case, technically and legally, what Richard did was correct. However, I believe that we need to go beyond process and legal in dealing with Sexual Harassment at Work Place. A few facts cannot be changed by law or science:
1. Men are men. I remember of having read somewhere that a daughter was asking her mother \”how do I know if the man is thinking of Sex\”. The mother replied check if he is breathing. If he is breathing he is thinking of sex.
2. The most common way men enjoy discussion is to share joke that may be considered to have several objectionable words from Sexual Harassment perspective.
3. With growing environment, where men are women are often compared at work space rights, the men are not in a position to have these jokes shared only when women are not around.
What is important in all cases of sexual harassment is to first establish that the comments or actions are targeted to a specific target. The first step must be to confront and say she does not like this and say that she expects an appropriate behavior. Today in environment where we all have come from education and work system where it is not uncommon to share sexual jokes or lewd jokes with women as well. It was never a problem. Of course there would be exception and we used to respect those exception. I think it is important not to overreact. But if one has a strong feeling that she is being harassed, she must complaint. Secondly, from organisation perspective as well, the punishment must be in accordance to the nature of offence. The principal of natural justice must be prevailed. For every complaint dismissal cannot be an answer.