How does power and privilege relate to sexual harassment in the workplace? Give an example.?

Harassment can be overt or sublte

it may range from inappropriate commentary and touching to with holding promotions for sexual favours

it is complex - i am giving a very basic answer

In its most simple form the power privilege bit is basically about someone giving you unwanted attention or asking you to do stuff that is outside of your job - because they are in control of your job status - and you do it because you need the job

Policy

Policy alone does not stop harassment

team building helps

flat management structures help

gender balance in workplaces help

A COMMITMENT from management to compliance also helps

Staff training also helps if you make it part of orientation

One in a position of power and authority can misuse his position to sexually harass a subordinate i.e. a Manager and his Secretary or the Chief Executive of the company and a Receptionist. These are common occurrences in most workplaces. More often than not, the victims have no option but to succumb to the whims and caprices of their superiors to avoid losing their jobs, especially if there is no immediate alternative to getting another and better job. Those victims who refuse to succumb are fired due to one flimsy reason or another.

A company can deliberately create a policy to arrest this ugly situation in our workplaces, provided the formulators of the policy are also willing to abide by the policy. If the policy is entrenched in the Company.s terms and conditions of service, then a sexually harassed victim can even take the matter to court if the issue is not properly addressed by the company's management. The case of the former IMF chief and those who fell victim is a good example.

Preface:- Before plunging in here - make sure you properly understand what privilege is in this context - it's not just that men can pee standing up etc.

Had a policy here from work - can't find it (grrrr!). It's basically that using your position of power etc to get some sort of sexual return, or to impose a hostile regime of smut or whatever, is illegal.

Well... It's simple.

If a man tells a "dirty joke" or speaks about something sexual in the workplace... Then the ADULTS around him should be able to handle it.

If they can't... Then they are not "strong" enough for the workforce.

Sex is a normal and healthy part of life. If you are offended or off-put by talk of a sexual nature, then that's "your problem" and you need to stop projecting that onto other people.

Instead of "sensitivity training" ...there needs to be "over-sensitivity" training where the supposed adults can learn that sexual talk is a normal and accepted part of our culture.

The same women that act all "offended" by men speaking about sex are the same ones who go off to see "magic mike" and who watch "sex and the city" and have an e-mail box full of sexual jokes and pictures sent from their friends... But suddenly... If a man at the office hints at anything sexual... There is now a HUGE problem where this "pure" woman has been "soiled" by the "perverted" man.

Stop "playing the victim" please. Sex is a part of life. Adults can handle it. Prove you are "strong" enough for the workforce or stay at home.

EDIT: I KNOW that the truth hurts ladies... And I LOVE that. :)