Sexual harassment at the workplace

The debate on sexual harassment has helped to encourage a positive attitude towards the implementation of measures aimed at ensuring respect for all individuals at the workplace.

This is one of a number of anti-discrimination policies at the workplace. Others deal with steps against discrimination in recruitment, with progression and equal pay.

In the case of sexual harassment, the fact that the burden of proof falls on the employer and on the alleged perpetrator should not place unnecessary pressures on employers if these are aware of the preventive measures that can be taken.

One should rather look at the negative effects of sexual harassment on the enterprise. In the long run, this may hit the profitability of the enterprise.

Sexual harassment pollutes a working environment and can have a devastating effect on the health, confidence, morale and performance of those affected by it.

The anxiety and stress caused by sexual harassment usually lead those subjected to it taking time off work or they may become less efficient at work. They may also decide to leave their job.

Besides the short- and long-term damage to their employment prospects, particularly if they are forced to change their jobs, workers subjected to sexual harassment would also have to suffer the adverse consequences of the harassment itself.

Sexual harassment may also have a damaging impact on the other workers at the place of work where the harassment takes place.

And, as I have already said, there may also be adverse consequences for employers, especially when, due to such harassment, staff take sick leave or have to resign their posts.

Productivity may suffer in places where workers feel that their integrity is not being respected.

In general terms, sexual harassment is an obstacle to the well-being of individuals at the workplace.

We should therefore work towards the development of comprehensive measures to improve the environment at the workplace.

Ms Attard is president, National Council of Women.