Sexual harassment

In addition to sexual harassment and accommodation of religious beliefs, equal treatment for individuals with disabilities is a significant issue for the treatment of both employees and customers. The Americans with Disabilities Act provides equal opportunity for persons who are disabled in the workplace. This act prohibits discrimination in all aspects of employment from hiring to firing, similar to practices that are covered by equal opportunity employment laws. Persons are considered disabled if they have either a physical or mental impairment that significantly limits one or more major life activities or have a record of impairment. Also, discrimination against a person who has a relationship with a disabled person is prohibited. 

Virginia Valian Yes, sex itself is a factor. It is something that we should turn our attention to so that it doesn t prevent effective mentoring. Too often fears of being accused of sexual harassment or inappropriate sexual behavior are used as an easy way out. We need to say, Okay, that is a problem. Now, let s figure out what we can do to solve it. 

While in most cases this training was well received, the increased focus at the same time on both diversity issues and sexual harassment had some negative ramifications in the industrial workplace. Some more subtle biases and barriers began to crop up as backlash—cases in which men in an organization were reluctant to work with women because they weren t sure how their actions would be interpreted, because they didn t want to deal with potential harassment issues. 

NIH has been a positive influence in stimulating training in the responsible conduct of science. A question was raised whether NIH has any requirements for training in diversity, and it was reported that it does not have such training requirements. However, NIH requires institutions to have programs to ensure equal opportunity and to have sexual harassment policies, and so on. Unfortunately, we do not have mandates for how to do it it just has to be effective. 

Koss, M. P. (1990). Changed lives The psychological impact of sexual harassment. In M. Paludi (ed) Ivory Power Sexual Harassment on Campus. Albany, NY State University of New York Press. 

Richman, J. A. et al. (1999). Sexual harassment and generalized workplace abuse among university employees Prevalance and mental health correlates. American Journal of Public Health 89 358-63. 

Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs while at work Disobeying a direct instruction or order Endangering the safety of self or others Sexual harassment... 

The objectives of the Equal Opportunity Act are to encourage the identification and elimination of discrimination, sexual harassment and victimization, and to promote and facilitate the progressive realization of equality. Under this Act there is a duty to eliminate discrimination. 

Sex discrimination is when someone is treated less favourably because of sex or marital status. It includes sexual harassment and unfavourable treatment because a woman is pregnant. Employers fear a high level of absenteeism, often unjustified, from a mother who is trying to juggle the conflicting demands of work and motherhood. This is known as direct sex discrimination . 

Touching a person in an intimidating, malicious, or sexually harassing manner... 

Sexual harassment - whether under homosexual or heterosexual pretext - is a form of sex discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitutes sexual harassment when submission to or rejection of this conduct explicitly or implicitly affects an individual s employment, unreasonably interferes with an individual s work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment. ... 

Not only is sexual harassment potentially detrimental to a worker s productivity and well-being, it can have potentially expensive legal consequences for the perpetrator and the company as well, if a worker files a harassment-related lawsuit. Laws pertaining to sexual harassment vary from state to state the full range of requirements is beyond the scope of this Diversity Guide. 

Many states require sexual harassment/safe workplace training. California s law " is one of the most stringent, for example, and mandates that employers with 50 or more employees provide 2 hours of training and education to all supervisory employees once every two years. Many businesses and organizations provide more extensive training. 

U.S. Equal Employment Oppormnity Commission, webpage tide Facts About Sexual Harassment ... 

Califiamia State Personnel Board October 1988, Sexual Harassment Policy ... 

This, in turn, has resirlted in less women in the power structure and the so-called glass ceiling - hidden barriers to promotion This can affect women s mental health. The same power structure has in the past played down sexual harassment again a source of imdesirable mental stress for some people, mainly women, at work. 

Sexual harassment—behavior that constitutes unwelcome sexual advances could take the form of verbal or physical abuse or unwelcome requests for sexual favors. The behavior may involve persons of the opposite sex or of the same sex the offending conduct may run from supervisor to employee, student to student, employee to employee, teacher to student, and so on. (For further information on sexual harassment, see Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.)... 

Handling stress, conflict, cultural diversity, and sexual harassment are all important aspects of a process technician sjob. The people who make up the workforce within a plant are typically diverse and well educated. Diversity training identifies and reduces hidden biases between people with differences. Work relationships can be expected to last as long as 35 to 40 years, so it is important to fit in on your unit. Understanding your assignments, multiple roles, and responsibilities and contributing to the overall team effort is important to a successful work career. 

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