This article has been created to help you identify & prevent sexual harassment in our workplace.
What is sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment is any unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature that has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, threatening, humiliating, or offensive environment whether it was intended or not. This is the case even if the recipient welcomed the behaviour in the past, but it is now unwanted.
Victims of sexual harassment
Anyone can be a victim of sexual harassment.
Sexual harassment can happen to men, women, and people of any gender identity or sexual orientation.
It can be carried out by anyone of the same sex, a different sex, or anyone of any gender identity.
You could experience sexual harassment from anyone you encounter because of your job, including:
- someone you work with
- a manager, or someone else in a position of authority
- third parties - for example customers and members of the public
You don't have to be the target. If you witness behaviour of a sexual nature and it upsets you in any way, you can still be a victim of sexual harassment.
Types of sexual harassment
Sexual harassment can be split into three types.
1) Verbal - indecent sexual comments, jokes, questions, requests, demands or threats. In person, through email, calls, texts or social media.
2) Non-verbal - inappropriate facial expressions, staring at someone's body, displaying sexually explicit material in the workplace (such as calendars, magazines).
3) Physical - touching, pinching, hugging, stroking, kissing.
The impact of sexual harassment on the victim
Being the victim of sexual harassment can often cause psychological and physical health problems.
Being the victim of sexual harassment, or event just witnessing it, can be incredibly upsetting & can often cause physical and psychological health problems.
The damage that's been done can affect the victim for a long time afterwards, especially if the case is severe.
Support mechanisms
All employees have access to our Company Employee Assistance Programme for confidential support & advice with professionals. This is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day. Please visit the HR Noticeboard (kitchen) or Staff Knowledge Hub for more details.
We have also included in our Sexual Harassment Policy a selection of support services for victims of sexual harassment.
Zero-tolerance rule
At OG, we have a zero-tolerance rule in place to protect you from all kinds of bullying and harassment.
This means that we do not tolerate bullying or harassment of any kind.
It is extremely important for all employees to take an active role in the prevention of sexual harassment.
This includes our managers/directors, who should set the standards of behaviour for all others to follow.
Preventing sexual harassment in our workplace
Employees should take an active role in the prevention of sexual harassment.
To do this, there are five key areas in which we encourage you to take responsibility:
1) Take the time to read & understand our sexual harassment policy and recognise which behaviours constitute sexual harassment.
2) Observe people's behaviours & reactions to identify when harassment is taking place.
3) Examine your own behaviours & comments, to ensure they're in line with the sexual harassment policy.
4) Speak to those who are behaving unacceptably & call out offensive actions.
5) Support your colleagues who are affected by sexual harassment.