Business Ethics Sexual Harrassment

 Introduction

Sexual harassment is considered to be the unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. EOC (1980). The effects of which is far reaching not only for the individual that is being harassed, but also their families and by extension coworkers. Sexual harassment pollutes the working environment and can have a devastating effect upon the health, confidence, morale and performance of those affected by it. The anxiety and stress produced by sexual harassment commonly leads to those subjected to it taking time off work due to sickness, being less efficient at work, or leaving their job to seek work elsewhere O.J. (1992).

        The costs of sexual harassment suffered by employers and consequently the global economy are high. These costs result from absenteeism, reduced job satisfaction and productivity, premature ill health and retirement, higher rates of staff turnover and insurance costs, legal defense and liability for sexual harassment claims (Martino, Hoel &Cooper. 2003). In the United States, it is estimated that sexual harassment can cost the average company up to $6.7 million a year in low productivity, low morale, and employee turnover and absenteeism, not including litigation or other legal costs. Studies have also shown that sexual harassment is now linked to Post-Traumatic Stress disorder resulting in longer duration of work absence.

While there is an awareness of sexual harassment and its effects, not enough countries have passed laws that protect victims and criminalize the act. According European Unioncommissioned study (2007), only Australia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, India, Israel, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States of America had laws that would protect the victims. Based on this information, we believe it is time to continue the discussion to bring more awareness to the impact that this has on not just productivity but also the far reaching impact. Some of us have experienced or seen how sexual harassment has negatively affected our coworkers and persons whom we are associated with. Starting the discussion will also allow individuals who participate in this behaviour to understand how damaging this can be. In Jamaica, there is only a Sexual harassment Act, enacted in 2015and still has not been made into a law.

Sexual harassment violates the rights of the harassed and impacts the society and organizations. Kant, an eighteenth century philosopher maintained that each of us has a worth or a dignity that must be respected. Rights are legal, social, or ethical principles that ensures the freedom and well-being of each individual will be protected when others threaten that freedom or well-being. Violations of any of these, is a violation of our human rights. Employees are more motivated when they feel that organizational resources are allocated fairly, that organizational decisions are made in fair ways, and that their organization treats them fairly.  It can be argued, the stability of a society or any group, depends upon the extent to which the members of that society feel that they are being treated justly. The effects of sexual harassment, therefore is not only a legal but also an ethical issue.