What I have chosen to discuss here is something that is ubiquitous yet taboo. It is something I believe no one likes to talk about and avoids. This incessant topic is our problem of sexual harassment in the workplace.
It has been riding on the wings of pestilence, not only in the case of women, but also applicable to our male population. Victims have been on the rise, especially when women have been integrated into the working class some time ago. This calls for measures to be implemented, against perpetual affliction of such physical and psychological torment, and also a necessity for as such people are deprived of support from this continuum of abuse.
http://www.asiaone.com/Just%2BWoman/News/Women%2BIn%2BThe%2BNews/Story/A1Story20080709-75660.html
http://www.aware.org.sg/?page_id=61
http://209.85.175.132/search?q=cache:khZD0TJ2jv4J:www.aware.org.sg/download.php%3Ffile%3Dpressrelease/2008-Jul-09%2520AWARE%2520Report%2520on%2520Sexual%2520Harassment.pdf+sexual+harassment+in+workplace&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=sg
Plenty of organizational communication concepts and principles can be highlighted and I shall draw out some resonating details. Members or should I say victims, are subjected to organizational structures and positions. These people are mostly at the lower end of the hierarchal system where they can be less vocal and opinionated, and most importantly, they know the “what and what not’s”.
This particular topic can be cross referenced to formal organizational structure as well. The downward communication concept says it all. It is a message (harassment) sent from someone at the top to someone at the bottom, exploiting the ‘superior-subordinate’ position, blackmailing victims with performance reports, appraisals and even retrenchment. Upward communication channels are mostly sealed and such taboo subjects are best left in ethical and moral quandaries. Hence, the help required from sentinel policies.
Organizational culture provides a precise and succinct elaboration of ‘why’. Organizational cultures establish the rules on how to behave (suffer in silence), what attitudes to adopt (suffer in silence), and how to rank what is significant (work first, personal problems later). When new entrants realize such behaviors are perennial in the office, they will experience culture shock and surprise. Soon, these greenhorns will seek information from the insiders and anticipate surprise (victimization and how to deal with it). Rites and ceremonials (team building activities) will become hunting grounds for sexual predators in the workplace.
Societal banes like these should be banished and eradicated by law enforcement. Channels should be made available for victims to seek redress and for each day this problem persists, the issue will become harder to resolve.
its not easy to communicate effectively in a huge organisation. communication goes hand in hand with the working relationship with the direct superior. if the direct superior is a nice guy who takes care of those under him, chances are, there will be effective transmission of information which enhances communication. he would then be someone you dare to approach and share the troubles at work. this is someone who is highly treasured by the staff.
ReplyDeleteit is true that for most of the times, the newbie will be bullied in a way. some people see it as testing the newbie's limits and assessing his ability to work under stressful conditions. some others see it as a norm for a newbie to go through such tough training to emerge stronger.
i would prefer my superior to be caring and approachable
Yes, I agree. Many victims of sexual harassment do not dare to confront the culprits, much less if the harassment happened in the work place and the guilty party happens to be a superior.
ReplyDeleteAs you mentioned, female employees have to abide by the rules (both spoken and unspoken)of a company. It is either they suffer in silence or risk losing their job, and it is no surprise that many of them choose the former. Such submissive practices are so common in asian cultures. Take Japan for eample. Many female employees have seen or experienced sexual harassment. It has become so common that it is being treated as part of the job, or something that they have to go through in order to be able to keep working.
This is very different from western cultures. Female employees who feel that they are harassed will report the case and make sure that the culprit get what he deserves-usually getting demoted or fired from the company. This is because female employee's rights are respected in the office.
Local companies should encourage female employees to speak up if they feel sexually harrased. The higher-ups of the companies must be impartial and be able to differentiate wrong from right. If cases of harassment in Singapore's work places go unreported and unresolved, it may very well turn into the negative culture that Japan has now.
as mentioned by the above comment i would say such things differ from culture to culture, country to country. cultures plays a big part here for eg, japan. it has been long recognised that the female population in that country is rather submissive as compared to other female population from other sides of the world. and that males in their society holds 'great power'. so unless it's a fair and righteous higher-up, or else, sometimes complaining or standing up for themselves will often backfire.
ReplyDeleteto shadysnapshots.
ReplyDeleteSuch kind-hearted and understanding bosses would most probably get bullied by his subordinates. At managerial level, they need to be able to stamp authority so sometimes; they are compelled to be harsh.
Rookies need to go through certain levels of conditioning before they assimilate into the ‘member’ role, but sexual harassment is something that is intolerable and downright despicable so it should not be taken into consideration as assessment criteria.
To Olivia.
ReplyDeleteThe fact is Japanese men tend to be more chauvinistic and women, more demure and soft-spoken. Situation is changing as women in the workforce tend to be more idealistic like many career driven females in all parts of the world, so this culture I believe is a negative perception that is being rectified.
If policies are in place, I believe more women will stand up and fight for their rights.
to communicator
ReplyDeleteAs I have mentioned, standing up for oneself might not backfire if there are enough policies implemented to serve the purpose. Other than that, it also deters perpetrators, and thus reducing harassment propensity rate.
wahaha now i know why u have 6 comments. half of them are your replies.. good try. anyway, it is so common to be subjected to such a situation that u cant do anything but to do things that are against your own wish. accept the reality my friend. unless u are at the top of the hierarchy. you cant really do anything about it.
ReplyDeletewahaha now i know why u have 6 comments. half of them are your replies.. good try. anyway, it is so common to be subjected to such a situation that u cant do anything but to do things that are against your own wish. accept the reality my friend. unless u are at the top of the hierarchy. you cant really do anything about it.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very important issue that you have highlighted. The causes of sexual harassment at work can be complex, and steeped in socialization, politics, and psychology. Work relationships can be quite intimate and intense, and those involved share common interests. Employee's are dependant on each supervisor's approval for opportunities and career success. Supervisors and employers can grow accustomed to the power they have over their employees. Such closeness and intensity can blur the professional boundaries and lead people to step over the line. Quid Pro Quo Harassment is "you do something for me and I'll do something for you" type of exchange which is often seen in the world of today. This occurs when a job benefit is directly tied to an employee submitting to unwelcome sexual advances. For example, a supervisor promises an employee a raise if she will go out on a date with him, or tells an employee she will be fired if she doesn't sleep with him. Its sad to know that this takes place. Optimum measures must be taken to put a stop to all this!
ReplyDeleteIt is sad to see the cases of sexual harrassment rising over the years.Women have always been seen as soft targets and hence get exploited easily.Due to the increasing demands and expectations, people tend to make compromises at the workplace.There has always been a give and take realtionship between the superior and the subordinate but one should know where to draw the line.I agree with Cynera that strict measures should be taken to stop all this.
ReplyDeleteTo Rebut and Debate
ReplyDeleteSarcasm? Anyway yes. Everyone is bounded by impressing someone of higher echelon so unless you are at the highest level; you are answerable to your superior.
To cynera
Yes. Measures must be taken to deter such sexual advances. Once policies are implemented in our society, it is our culture to unquestionably abide by it. As long as people are protected, perpetrators do not stand a chance.
To Srutakirti
ReplyDeleteActually people without authority or power are soft targets. It does not necessarily mean women in particular, and as you have mentioned, measures are most definitely essential.