I stumbled on this piece written by Muyiwa Afolabi, a career coach. This is one issue that has being; and would continue to trend unabated if the society, government institutions and even private institutions decides to overlook. It has no gender, however, it is on the record that women are more at the receiving end. Here we go!

TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IF YOU ARE A VICTIM OF WORK PLACE SEXUAL HARASSMENT




1.Don’t Ignore The Harassment.

If you believe that you are the victim of sexual harassment in the workplace, don’t ignore the problem. Studies show that individuals who sexually harass other people at work do not stop simply because their victim does nothing. Ignoring such behavior may actually make the harasser escalate his or her behavior. Talking about sexual harassment can be uncomfortable, but you can empower yourself by talking with other employees who may also be experiencing harassment by speaking up.

2. Make It Clear To The Harasser That The Conduct Is Unwelcome.

An essential element of a sexual harassment claim is that the conduct must be “unwelcome.” Harassers sometimes contend that their victims welcomed and enjoyed their words and actions. Although it can feel uncomfortable or even frightening to object, you must tell the harasser unequivocally to stop the behavior. There is no special way to do this or magic words to use; but you must make it clear that the behavior is unwelcome. You may want to put your position in writing, perhaps in an email. By doing so, you will have proof that the conduct was unwelcome if the harassment doesn’t stop.

3. Not All Offensive Behavior Is Sexual Harassment Under The Law.

What constitutes unlawful sexual harassment is determined under various statutes and hundreds of court cases interpreting those statutes. These criteria evolve through statutory amendments and new court opinions. Not all offensive behavior is unlawful sexual harassment. Whether certain offensive behavior constitutes sexual harassment is considered on a case-by-case basis. It’s especially hard to know where to draw the line when you’re experiencing behavior in the workplace that you find obnoxious, disgusting, or frightening. This makes it especially important to talk to a lawyer who knows about sexual harassment law and about how to deal with such behavior.

4. Keep Careful Notes On What Happened, But Not On Employer Owned Equipment.

Keep any notes, memos, letters, gifts, or other tangible evidence from the harasser. And keep a diary or notes of any incidents or other information that may be relevant to your concerns about sexual harassment. But be careful how and where you record your evidence. Your communications using company equipment are not confidential and can be used against you. Many employers monitor their employees’ communications at work, including documents prepared on company computers, emails and text messages sent and received, websites visited, and even phone numbers called. Also, be aware that employers, just like anyone else, may access any public website that may contain your personal information (i.e., Facebook and MySpace). Even personal emails sent from your own account may be traced by your employer if you accessed your provider through the employer’s server. Thus, always assume that you are being monitored while at work or while using employer-owned equipment off premises. You may want to document your experiences in handwritten notes or in notes on a computer that you own; but don’t leave them at your place of employment.

5. Report The Conduct.

Reporting sexual harassment may feel threatening and disruptive, but your report does two important things. It gives your employer an opportunity to correct the problem, i.e. make the harassment stop; and if the conduct does not abate, you have proof that your employer knows about the problem. Once your employer is on notice of the harassment, it should investigate and, if warranted, take prompt remedial action to address the problem. But if you do not inform your employer about the harassment, it might contend that it did not know about the problem and therefore is not responsible for the conduct of the harasser; this is particularly true if the harasser is a co-worker and not a supervisor. Although it may be hard, you need to cooperate in the employer’s investigation. Fear of retaliation generally is not a sufficient reason to avoid reporting harassment.

6. Remember: Anything You Tell Human Resources Can Be Revealed To Others In The Company.

Human resources personnel may present themselves as your advocate or friend. And in fact they may act to protect you and other employees. But keep in mind that they work for and are loyal to the company. Don’t assume that anything you tell them is going to be kept confidential. They may report your complaint to their supervisors and to other managerial employees.

7. Don’t Quit Your Job.

Sexual harassment is against the law. You do not have to endure a sexually hostile work environment; your employer is legally required to make it stop. Don’t just quit to get away from the offensive environment. Quitting might enable the employer to argue that you didn’t give it time to fix the problem; quitting could adversely affect your ability to recover for lost income; and quitting might make it harder to collect unemployment benefits, because your employer could contend that you abandoned your job. If you feel that the harassment is intolerable, talk to an employment lawyer before you make any decisions. An alternative to quitting might be to take sick or disability leave while the problem is being addressed. An objective, knowledgeable lawyer can help you make the best possible plan to deal with the situation.

8. Retaliation Is Illegal - And Sometimes Easier To Prove Than The Actual Harassment.

Even if you can’t prove that unlawful sexual harassment occurred, you might have a strong retaliation claim if you make a reasonable good faith complaint of harassment to your employer and your employer then takes any “adverse action” against you because of your complaint. Adverse actions can include a demotion in job title, a cut in pay, a negative change in your performance evaluations, a transfer to a less desirable location/department or less desirable duties, further harassment or mistreatment by your co-workers, or termination of your employment.

9. Keep Doing Your Job Well.

You might have a valid sexual harassment claim, but don’t use that as an excuse to stop doing your job well! Making a complaint about sexual harassment doesn’t give you permission to stop doing your job to the best of your ability or excuse you from the same standards you had to meet before the conduct started or you complained. You or your lawyer may need to negotiate with your employer for what you want, and you should preserve all your options until the situation is resolved.

10. Get Legal Advice From Someone Who Knows About Sexual Harassment Law.

If you think you’re being sexually harassed, talk to a lawyer who’s experienced in sexual harassment cases. This is especially important if you’re considering quitting your job. Meeting with a lawyer does not mean that you are going to sue your current or former employer. An employment lawyer can advise you about what the law considers to be unlawful sexual harassment; counsel you about how to handle the situation (i.e., making a proper complaint, trying to preserve your job, gathering proof of the harassment, or dealing with the stress); and if matters escalate an attorney can advise you about your legal options.

http://muyiwaafolabi.com/blog/Frankly-Speaking-With-Muyiwa-Afolabi/TOP-10-THINGS-TO-DO-IF-YOU-ARE-A-VICTIM-OF-WORK-PLACE-SEXUAL-HARASSMENT.php

She has a good profile obviously, however our leaders should be able to utilise such qualities where they are needed most. I join the voices of other nairalanders to suggest that she serve in the health sector despite the experience she must have had in INEC.

47513619GB bro pls help me check this. Tnk you

The clash in jos was not between CPC and PDP supporters as reported by the police. As andrew above has said. the youth from jenta and gada biu came out to defend their areas as buhari's thugs were brandishing all manners of weapons ranging from cutlasses daggers and bottles. i wonder what would have happened if they were not prevented by youths. i live very close to the scene of that incident, you wouldn't believe its a political rally. buhari need to caution his supporters. tell me where buhari has visited and his supporters/thugs did not misbehave?

the second list if finally out

check mis.unijos.edu.ng/admissions

check the list and reg procedure for unijos online @ mis.unijos.edu.ng/admissions for those waiting for 2nd list, just be patient the process is already on.

SeanT21:

There is nothing you can do about it.Snoring is a way of life and its very hard to break it.I went to bed anyway.

way of life? what about self induced snoring like taking excess alcohol, wrong bed positions? these can be avoided except in the case of heredity.

this thing can be very annoying and can lead to break up of marriage, imagine one have to live his spouse to sleep elsewhere just to avoid the noise that comes from snoring. Hence, the level of intimacy begin to go down

research have shown that people who snore while sleeping makes sleep difficult for their bed partner and even for themselves.

lets read your view; how do you cope with someone who snores aloud while sleeping?

auwal87:

None of the rioters were carrying guns, and therefore the police can be able to stop them with rubber bullets or shock, but not shoot to kill approach.

Mr Auwal or what is that your name, u lack evidence to back up your argument. from all indications u are not living in jos so all u've being saying is based on heresayand therefore wrong for u to just conclude. those rioters killed by the police or soldeir were carrying sophisticated weapon which is a threat to other citizens including the police who will have to protect the and maintain peace. so u dont expect the police to just use rubber bullets while the rioters keep killing other poeple.

Phemour:

I can't get the Newspaper but anyone with the newspaper should help me out

Olaiya Abass Olaiya

Very urgent please

which department did you aplied to?

is there going to be a second list?

the list is out. buy 15/12/2008 vanguard or call me 08059146378, i will check it for u, or send ur name and reg no on this thread

A student told me that the list has been released on their website; ive been checking throught the site, but haven't seen any list yet.

everything in unijos is different. atleast they should have released the list by now, having written post ume since july. it has been rumored to be released before they go for their break come 1st dec. just keep praying that ur name comes out with this kind of "wayo wayo" list.

they just finish compiling DE applications. the list mght come out maybe before ending november as their staff are going for break as from 1 dec and may last till january.

the is list is already prepared and ready for publishing. just pray your name comes out

@ poster

8. See you at the top.

So u could also write about me![s][/s]

Thumbs up for the lessons. But i dont really understand your intention(s) for these lessons. Are they made to teach your readers how to also manipulate people and extort their money? (just as u've written about the 'holy business men' ) or for your readers to learn and pray for spirit of discernssion to be able tackle these deceptions as claimed by you?

pls no bad intentions meant. just curious to know!

the list will be out before the week runs out, unless there is a change. from a reliable source

I heard that the ume screening is scheduled for 17th - 19th of July, 2008. Hw true is it?

will there be post ume in Unijos this year?

Having problems too. Registered for CRS, English, Lit in English and Goverment. the result page came up with CRS, English, Lit in English and Geography, having geography with the lowest score of 38, even though geography was not part of my registered subjects.

Please anyone with info on how i can change this error? though i got 211, for Pschology, Unijos

thanks for the info. Pls what is the source of this news?

A rumour is being circulated dt the list is out. How true is it?

how was exams? i hope went smoothly, please comment

ibgoodnews:

boys be awere that something is coming out this week.

this week almost running outand nothing yet!

thnks for d info. i pray dt this list eventually comes out oh, some of us don wait taya.