Posts Tagged ‘ Sexual Harassment ’

But was it Sexual Harassment? Pleading Ignorance takes a look…

October 29th, 2010. By Kristine B

If you’ve read the news lately, you more than likely read that Clarence Thomas and Anita Hill are back at it again. If you’re like me, you may have wondered if we hadn’t somehow gone into some time warp, circa 1991. Well, as one could predict, it was the old ”he did it,” “she lied” debate. That debate won’t be tackled—or resolved—here at Pleading Ignorance—heck, I hardly have access to the pertinent information—but what we can discuss is what sexual harassment actually is—and is not.

“Hey babe, nice skirt…”

So is a remark like that sexual harassment—or not? Let’s see…

Sexual harassment involves unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other conduct (either physical or verbal) that is of a sexual nature. These activities become sexual harassment when the recipient’s submission to or rejection of the conduct affects his or her employment, interferes with work performance or creates an intimidating or hostile work environment.

The person being harassed does not necessarily have to fear the loss of a job for the situation to be deemed sexual harassment. Sexual harassment can involve promises of promotions or more favorable working conditions or, if the conduct is rejected, demotions or hostile work conditions.

Sexual harassment does not have to involve parties of the opposite sex. Furthermore, although the harasser can be the employee’s supervisor, the harassment can also involve Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Pleading Ignorance, Sexual Harassment
Posted in Emerging Issues, Employment | 55042 Comments »2010-10-29+19%3A37%3A11Kristine+B

Abuse is Abuse, Regardless of Gender

January 14th, 2010. By Hunter West

boxing gloves2 Abuse is Abuse, Regardless of Gender In late 2009 an upscale New York restaurant was hit with a lawsuit by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for alleged harassment against male employees by other male employees. The alleged abuse includes attempts to grab buttocks and genitals, pushing one’s body against another in a sexually suggestive fashion and the verbalization of crude, lewd and obscene comments.

In Arizona, another EEOC lawsuit charged that male employees in the kitchen at a food preparation facility abused other male employees—including allegations of simulated rape. That incident resulted in the payout of a settlement benefitting the allegedly harassed workers.

It used to be that harassment was all about abuse against women—which is serious, of course. But equally serious is abuse against men. And it’s about time.

Abuse, is abuse regardless of which gender is involved. And it’s a relief to see that men are now having the balls to admit to being harassed, either by male or female and are standing up for their rights.

Thus, the courts should reflect just what is going on out there. And what is going on out there, along with harassment against women, is harassment against men.

Face it, men have been abused for years. But the man never came forward. Doing so would be ‘unmanly,’ an Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Abuse, Sexual Harassment
Posted in Personal Injury | 24213 Comments »Abuse+is+Abuse%2C+Regardless+of+Gender2010-01-14+17%3A14%3A48Hunter+West

Sex Harassment on the Job: Who’s Sexiest of All?

August 19th, 2009. By AbiK

black pump edited 1 Sex Harassment on the Job: Whos Sexiest of All? It’s the quintessential and stereotypical office drama played out in a tabloid: bombshell secretary gets her butt pinched by male higher-up. Or worse. Think that sounds pretty accurate for most sexual harassment cases? Think again. The “sex magnet” isn’t quite who you probably think it is.

A new study just reported that it’s actually not lower level female employees who suffer the most on-the-job sexual harassment. An article at HealthDay.com (8/12/09) shares the findings of the study conducted by University of Minnesota sociologist Heather McLaughlin. Guess what? Turns out female supervisors are more likely to be the target of sexual harassment.

The study looked at 600 men and women aged 29 to 30. The findings indicated that 36% of men and women experienced some form of sexual harassment (in 2004). Sexual harassament, by the way, included offensive material, discussions of sex, staring or leering, invasion of personal space, questions about one’s private life or unwanted touching. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Sexual Harassment
Posted in Employment | 1065No Comments »2009-08-19+19%3A33%3A08AbiK