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1 – 10 of 135
Article
Publication date: 24 September 2019

Kathrina Robotham and Lilia Cortina

Despite organizational policies aimed at harassment prevention, harassment based on gender and ethnicity remains pervasive in places of work. Although previous research has…

3158

Abstract

Purpose

Despite organizational policies aimed at harassment prevention, harassment based on gender and ethnicity remains pervasive in places of work. Although previous research has identified other antecedents such as harassment climate, the purpose of this paper is to consider whether a climate of respect leads to reductions in identity-based harassment.

Design/methodology/approach

In a military sample of active duty men and women (Study 1) and a sample of working adults (Study 2), the authors use survey methods to test whether a climate of respect predicts the occurrence of two forms of identity-based abuse: sexual harassment (Study 1) and ethnic harassment (Study 2).

Findings

The authors find that a climate of respect uniquely predicts harassment based on sex and ethnicity, above and beyond effects of climate for harassment.

Originality/value

These results suggest that, while traditional harassment prevention efforts remain important for deterring identity-based harassment, promotion of a respectful work environment is also an effective tool.

Details

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, vol. 40 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-7149

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 July 2015

Lu-Ming Tseng and Yue-Min Kang

Prior research showed that sexual harassment by customers is a widespread and serious problem for service workers. However, some of the service workers may be unwilling to report…

2128

Abstract

Purpose

Prior research showed that sexual harassment by customers is a widespread and serious problem for service workers. However, some of the service workers may be unwilling to report this problem to their managers because customers are important for them and for the interests of the organization. Moreover, reporting customer sexual harassment could be embarrassing and may prompt retaliation against those service workers. The purpose of this paper is to focus on salespeople’s intention to report customer sexual harassment to their immediate managers, and how the whistle-blowing intention is affected by the salespeople’s perception of anti-harassment policy, manager integrity and risks of blowing the whistle.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the relationships among the variables, the data acquisition procedure yielded the responses of 251 full-time life insurance salespeople in Taiwan.

Findings

The findings showed that salesperson perception of anti-harassment policy and manager integrity were positively associated with the salespeople’s whistle-blowing intention. Gender, age and personal experience of being sexually harassed by customers also related to the whistle-blowing intention.

Originality/value

Customer sexual harassment has seldom been discussed in the relevant literature. The potential impacts of manager integrity on the prevention of customer sexual harassment in service work have also been less mentioned.

Details

Leadership & Organization Development Journal, vol. 36 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7739

Keywords

Content available
Article
Publication date: 25 January 2011

Sarah James

394

Abstract

Details

Human Resource Management International Digest, vol. 19 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0967-0734

Article
Publication date: 1 April 1996

Diana L. Deadrick, R. Bruce McAfee and Paul J. Champagne

Illegal workplace harassment has become an increasingly significant issue. While most articles have focused on the legal and/or practical steps necessary for employers to avoid…

3097

Abstract

Illegal workplace harassment has become an increasingly significant issue. While most articles have focused on the legal and/or practical steps necessary for employers to avoid litigation, a neglected issue is how to prevent illegal harassment more effectively. Describes an organization change approach to developing an environment of mutual respect. When harassment prevention is examined from this perspective, the critical issues involve how to increase awareness about harassment, how to incorporate employee input and involvement in the change process, and how to develop employee responsibility for maintaining a harassment‐free work environment. Recommendations encourage managers to change the way they approach the problem of harassment.

Details

Journal of Organizational Change Management, vol. 9 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0953-4814

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 2009

Denise Salin

The aim of this paper is to explore what kind of measures personnel managers have taken to intervene in workplace harassment and to explore how organisational characteristics and…

9070

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to explore what kind of measures personnel managers have taken to intervene in workplace harassment and to explore how organisational characteristics and the characteristics of the personnel manager affect the choice of response strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was exploratory and used a survey design. A web‐based questionnaire was sent to the personnel managers of all Finnish municipalities and data on organisational responses and organisational characteristics were collected.

Findings

The study showed that the organisations surveyed relied heavily on reconciliatory measures for responding to workplace harassment and that punitive measures were seldom used. Findings indicated that personnel manager gender, size of municipality, use of “sophisticated” human resource management practices and having provided information and training to increase awareness about harassment all influence the organisational responses chosen.

Research limitations/implications

Only the effects of organisational and personnel manager characteristics on organisational responses were analysed. Future studies need to include perpetrator characteristics and harassment severity.

Practical implications

The study informs both practitioners and policy makers about the measures that have been taken and that can be taken in order to stop harassment. It also questions the effectiveness of written anti‐harassment policies for influencing organisational responses to harassment and draws attention to the role of gendered perceptions of harassment for choice of response strategy.

Originality/value

This paper fills a gap in harassment research by reporting on the use of different response strategies and by providing initial insights into factors affecting choice of responses.

Details

Personnel Review, vol. 38 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0048-3486

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2005

Joan Curtice

This paper examines the value of a work environment that is safe, dignified and respectful. Not only does the law mandate such an environment but it also makes good business sense…

3223

Abstract

This paper examines the value of a work environment that is safe, dignified and respectful. Not only does the law mandate such an environment but it also makes good business sense since typically the results are increased motivation and productivity. Successful companies practice safety and fairness procedures and consistently reap rewards for doing so. This article covers the basics of safe work atmospheres, citing examples of the significant costs to firms that do not follow these practices. People are at their most productive when they are not distracted by concerns for their safety or well being. Additionally, in recent years, many lawsuits that have occurred due to sexual misconduct that have settled with extremely large payments to those employees who have initiated the litigation – very costly in terms of time and money for a company. The article also discusses less measurable impacts such as the cost of disrespect. A recent report based on various surveys concluded that an extreme level of rudeness is rampant in the US workplace that both damages mental health and lowers productivity. “Truly safe” work environments are both genuinely protective and proactive. They are companies in which employees feel confident that they have a place to go when they have a problem. Companies need to have clearly written anti‐harassment policies that define and describe prohibited behaviors. These policies need to contain specific instructions. In addition, a non‐retaliation policy is required to send a clear message that retaliation will not be tolerated; it is as illegal as the harassment itself.

Details

Handbook of Business Strategy, vol. 6 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1077-5730

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 2001

Heather Applen and Brian H. Kleiner

Provides a background to the development of sexual harassment legislation through the Supreme Court. Examines the characteristics of sexual harassment laws and how the Supreme…

520

Abstract

Provides a background to the development of sexual harassment legislation through the Supreme Court. Examines the characteristics of sexual harassment laws and how the Supreme Court has implemented and expanded these rules in specific cases. Concludes that it is imperative that employers understand their liability for sexual misconduct in the workplace and use the presented cases to formulate and enforce an effective anti‐harassment policy.

Details

Managerial Law, vol. 43 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-0558

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 April 2020

Gerald P. Mallon and Jazmine Perez

Recent research finds that youth who identify as transgender or gender-expansive are disproportionately incarcerated in juvenile justice systems and are treated differently from…

Abstract

Purpose

Recent research finds that youth who identify as transgender or gender-expansive are disproportionately incarcerated in juvenile justice systems and are treated differently from their non-trans peers (Himmelstein and Brückner, 2011; Hunt and Moodie-Mills, 2012; Irvine, 2010; Mitchum and Moodie-Mills, 2014). Juvenile justice systems have paid little attention to this group of young people in terms of their unique service needs and risk factors. Using qualitative methods, the researchers analyze in-depth interviews and focus group findings from formerly incarcerated trans youth in juvenile justice settings to better understand their experiences. This paper aims to examine the challenges for young people, and, as well as considered recommendations for juvenile justice professionals to study toward making changes in policies, practices and programs that are needed to support young people who are transgender or gender expansive.

Design/methodology/approach

Using qualitative, case examples and descriptive analysis, this paper describes the experiences of trans youth in juvenile justice settings and studies toward developing models of promoting trans-affirming approaches to enhance juvenile justice institutions for trans and gender-expansive youth placed in them. The paper describes the evolution of an approach used by the authors, in New York state juvenile justice settings to increase a trans-affirming perspective as a central role in the organization’s strategy and design, and the methods it is using to institutionalize this critical change. Findings culled from the focus groups and in-depth interviews with 15 former residents of juvenile justice settings and several (3) key staff members from the juvenile justice system, focusing on policies, practices and training models are useful tools for assessing progress and recommending actions to increase the affirming nature of such systems. At its conclusion, this chapter will provide clear outcomes and implications for the development of policies, practices and programs with trans and gender expansive youth in juvenile justice systems.

Findings

Finding are conceptualized in six thematic categories, namely, privacy, access to health and mental health care, the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity, name and pronoun use, clothing, appearance and mannerism, and housing issues.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited as it focuses on formerly incarcerated youth in the New York City area.

Practical implications

The following implications for practice stemming from this study are as follows: juvenile justice professionals (including judges, defense attorneys, prosecutors, probation officers and detention staff) must treat – and ensure others treat – all trans and gender-expansive youth with fairness, dignity and respect, including prohibiting any attempts to ridicule or change a youth’s gender identity or expression. Having written nondiscrimination and anti-harassment policy is also essential. These policies can address issues such as prohibiting harassment of youth or staff who are trans or gender expansive, requiring the use of respectful and inclusive language and determining how gender rules (e.g. usage of “male or “female” bathrooms, gender-based room assignments) will be addressed for transgender and gender-nonconforming youth. Programs should also provide clients and staff with training and helpful written materials. Juvenile justice professionals must promote the well-being of transgender youth by allowing them to express their gender identity through choice of clothing, name, hair-style and other means of expression and by ensuring that they have access to appropriate medical care if necessary. Juvenile justice professionals must receive training and resources regarding the unique societal, familial and developmental challenges confronting trans youth and the relevance of these issues to court proceedings. Training must be designed to address the specific professional responsibilities of the audience (i.e. judges, defense attorneys, prosecutors, probation officers and detention staff). Juvenile justice professionals must develop individualized, developmentally appropriate responses to the behavior of each trans youth, tailored to address the specific circumstances of his or her or their life.

Social implications

Providing trans-affirming services to youth in juvenile justice settings is a matter of equity and should be the goal strived for by all systems that care for these young people. Helping trans and gender-expansive youth reenter and reintegrate into society should be a primary goal. There are many organizations and systems that stand ready to assist juvenile justice systems and facilities in supporting trans and gender expansive youth in their custody and helping them to rehabilitate, heal and reenter a society that welcomes their participation and where they can thrive and not just survive.

Originality/value

The paper is original in that it examines the lived experiences of trans and gender-expansive youth in juvenile justice systems. An area, which has not been fully explored in the professional literature.

Details

Journal of Criminological Research, Policy and Practice, vol. 6 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2056-3841

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 May 2020

Lisa Mainiero

The #MeToo movement has brought questions of sexuality and power in the workplace to the forefront. The purpose of this paper is to review the research on hierarchial consensual…

2237

Abstract

Purpose

The #MeToo movement has brought questions of sexuality and power in the workplace to the forefront. The purpose of this paper is to review the research on hierarchial consensual workplace romances and sexual harassment examining the underlying mechanisms of power relations. It concludes with a call to action for organizational leaders to adopt fair consensual workplace romance policies alongside strong sexual harassment policies.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper represents a conceptual review of the literature on consensual workplace romance, sexual harassment, passive leadership and power relations. Passive leadership leads to a climate of incivility that in turn suppresses disclosures of sexual harassment (Lee, 2016). Consensual workplace romances across hierarchical power relations carry significant risks and may turn into harassment should the romance turn sour.

Findings

Two new concepts, sexual hubris and sexploitation, are defined in this paper. Sexual hubris, defined as an opportunistic mindset that allows the powerful to abuse their power to acquire sexual liaisons, and its opposite, sexploitation, defined as a lower-status member using sexuality to gain advantage and favor from an upper-level power target, are dual opportunistic outcomes of an imbalanced power relation. Sexual hubris may increase the likelihood for sexual harassment such that a mindset occurs on the part of the dominant coalition that results in feelings of entitlement. Sexploitation is a micromanipulation tactic designed to create sexual favoritism that excludes others from the power relation.

Research limitations/implications

Sexual hubris and sexploitation are conceptualized as an opportunistic mechanisms associated with imbalanced power relations to spur future research to tease out complex issues of gender, sexuality and hierarchy in the workplace. Sexual hubris serves to protect the dominant coalition and shapes organizational norms of a climate of oppression and incivility. Conversely, sexploitation is a micromanipulation tactic that allows a lower-status member to receive favoritism from a higher-power target. Four research propositions on sexual hubris and sexploitation are presented for future scholarship.

Practical implications

Most organizational leaders believe consensual romance in the office cannot be legislated owing to privacy concerns. Passive leadership is discussed as a leadership style that looks the other way and does not intervene, leading to workplace hostility and incivility (Lee, 2016). Inadequate leadership creates a climate of passivity that in turn silences victims. Policies concerning consensual workplace romance should stand alongside sexual harassment policies regardless of privacy concerns.

Social implications

The #MeToo movement has allowed victims to disclose sexual misconduct and abuse in the workplace. However, the prevalence of sexual harassment claims most often can be traced to a leadership problem. Employers must recognize that sexual hubris and sexploitation arise from imbalances of power, where sex can be traded for advancement, and that often consensual workplace romances end badly, leading to claims of sexual harassment. Consensual romance policies must stand alongside sexual harassment policies.

Originality/value

Sexual hubris and sexploitation are offered as novel concepts that provide a mechanism for conceptualizing the potential for abuse and manipulation from unbalanced power relations. These are original concepts derived from the arguments within this paper that help make the case for consensual workplace romance policies alongside sexual harassment policies.

Details

Gender in Management: An International Journal , vol. 35 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-2413

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 27 January 2012

Kent J. Smith, Jennifer Grimm, Anne E. Lombard and Brandon Wolfe

On September 22, 2010, a young man stood in distress on the New Jersey side of the George Washington Bridge not far from his home in Ridgewood, New Jersey, looking 600ft below at…

Abstract

On September 22, 2010, a young man stood in distress on the New Jersey side of the George Washington Bridge not far from his home in Ridgewood, New Jersey, looking 600ft below at the Hudson River. He was ready to act on the decision he had announced just minutes before on Facebook. His first semester at Rutgers University, the State University of New Jersey, located 27 miles southwest of New York City, had brought an unexpected challenge: his roommate had streamed two live Internet videos of his intimate encounters with another man. These were very private moments, and it was simply too much to bear. Tyler Clementi jumped to his death, leaving behind broken-hearted friends and family members, and shocking an entire nation with his tragic story (Kolowich, 2010; Foderaro, 2010).

Tyler probably had no idea how his death would shed light on a serious college issue – cyberbullying. In this chapter, the authors address this issue in detail. This is done first by providing a review of relevant literature that defines cyberbullying, explaining its presence in higher education, and describing various factors that should be considered when dealing with it. The literature review includes discussion regarding key electronic resources that college students use to cyber bully, as well as various legal and judicial issues that relate to this cultural phenomenon. Following the literature review, cyberbullying is examined through a research study at Ohio University, a large public institution located in southeastern Ohio. This is accomplished by setting forth research questions and hypotheses, describing the research instrument and design, and explaining the findings from an Ohio University undergraduate student survey. The chapter concludes with suggestions that practitioners might consider implementing on campus, as well as recommendations for future research on this topic.

Details

Misbehavior Online in Higher Education
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78052-456-6

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