Almost everyone knows that any form of sexual harassment is illegal in the workplace. But do they know what it really means? Unfortunately, no. Despite various laws and policies issued to prevent such indecent behaviors at work, sexual harassment remains prevailing within the working environment. What makes it worse, women often fall victims because of poor understanding of sexual abuse.
Here’s how:
Be confident
Harassers often target and attack those who look weaker. In order to prevent any bad misconducts, you have to gain strength and be confident. When you face some unpleasant attitudes from other male employees, don’t show your weakness. Even when you feel intimated and maybe frightened, you have to fight back and say no with all your power.
Speak up
Sometimes, severe sexual harassment begins with trivial things such as jokes. While it might seem harmless at first, you should be cautious. Don’t let it just pass. When your supervisor says something like, ‘Haha, maybe you need to sleep with me if you want to keep your job,’ be extra-careful. It should send a red signal that might lead to more serious conducts. If such a thing happens to you, you should speak up and report such incidents to the senior business heads or the HR manager.
Respect yourself first
If you want other people to respect you, first you need to respect yourself. It means that you should maintain a professional image. Wear something decent and professional at work. Don’t let your male co-workers peek at your revealed cleavage. While you might not intend to, just try not to create any sexual temptation.
Get back-up supporter
Do not let your guard down. When you work in a place predominantly filled with men such as those from STEM, you should keep yourself surrounded with colleagues you trust. This way, you can control your social circle and prevent any unwelcome advances from unfamiliar people.
As more women are seeking careers outside their home, business leaders should take immediate action to curb and control sexual harassment issues. Leaders should find a method to create a safe, healthy, and woman-friendly working environment.
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