Sexual Harassment and Job Discrimination

Sexual harassment

Sexual harassment can be considered wrong, or morally wrong, based on several ethical theories. Deontology is defined as an ethical theory that the morality of an action should be based on whether that action itself is right or wrong under a series of rules, rather than based on the consequences of the action. The rule “Do unto others as you would have done unto you.” is a basic fundamental in business ethics, which can easily apply to sexual harassment. If it is right to treat everyone as you would want to be treated, it is obviously wrong to sexually harass anybody, because no one wants to be harassed. Sexual harassment is not only disrespectful and not only coercive, but it has measurable effects. The psychological distress caused by sexual harassment is very real. Sexual harassment could lead to “severe distress” and cause negative effects on the victim’s health. For example, feeling fear, insecurity, and mistrust; as well as physical symptoms, such as headaches, stomach aches, and sleep deprivation.

Utilitarianism states that an action is right in so far as it promotes happiness, and that the greatest happiness of the greatest number should be the guiding principle of conduct. This may influence some person to feel that their actions are right and they shouldn’t face any consequences for it. So an employee may make sexual advances on another employee or an employer on his or her employee, without thinking twice about it. sexual harassment can be simple touching or inappropriate words to another individual.

Sexual harassment can also be harmful to the organization. If an employee decides to sue this will cause the company their reputation in the society and the industry.  So, in contrast to utilitarianism sexual harassment may not be good for the company overall.

An individual right to freedom can be put on the back burner when thinking of sexual harassment. A company may have implemented rules to reduce sexual harassment and this can force employees from seeing each other. So, they won’t be free to date whosoever they want. Their right to privacy may also be breech in that their private life can impact the company on a whole.