Sexual Harassment

Sexual Harassment

Barbre-Anne Wasdin

Lynn University

Sexual Harassment

     Sexual harassment is an illegal act. This inexcusable type of behavior must never be tolerated in the workplace. Sexual harassment represents the unwanted and unwelcomed performance of sexual actions. It consists of the physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature, unwanted sexual advances, sexist remarks, demands or requests for sexual favors, and displaying of pornography. It is true that every individual has the right to life, liberty, and equality. These rights are guaranteed by the US Constitution, which is deemed to be the supreme law of the country. It is extremely critical for employers as well as other responsible persons or establishments to follow certain guidelines to safeguard the avoidance of sexual harassment at work. It is without a doubt, to live with self-respect is a human right ensured by our Constitution. It is the obligation of the employer in the work environment to avert or prevent the Commission of acts of sexual harassment and to offer the process for the solution, settlement or prosecution of actions of sexual harassment by requiring all steps involved.

     Working in a mostly female profession, nursing has it very rewarding times but also has difficult times as well. Nurses can be portrayed as sexy, erotic sex objects or stern, scary, and robust figures. The television shows have also stereotyped nurses in their roles. I have worked in both an emergency room (ER) and now, presently in the operating room (OR). Many things are said and done in both areas that could easily be taken as sexual harassment. There is a very fine line, and most staff members do not get offended easily. New employees are usually asked if they get offended easily, if so, this area may not be a good fit for them. Most staff warn the newcomers that things done and said in the ER and OR are just done in fun and not meant to be harmful.

     When I worked in the ER, I worked with a Hispanic doctor who liked to flirt with most of the females. We had started in the ER around the same time and had seen multiple staff members come and go. I was married at the time, and he was as well. I had worked with him closely, and we had an awesome working relationship. He trusted me as an equal, and when a patient would come in, I would order the appropriate lab work, start an IV, and suitable tests needed for the coinciding complaints of the patient. This usually occurred after the physician examined the patient. We had such a fantastic working relationship that he trusted me to preorder tests to have patients seen in a prompter manner. The patient would have most of the tests on the chart so he could have a quicker diagnosis for the patient and a faster discharge or admit time if needed. He had a reputation of having sexual relationships with different females in the hospital. I do know for a fact he was having an affair with one of my female coworkers. They would meet after work, and she eventually got a divorce from her husband. However, this particular doctor never left his wife.