Sexual harassment is
unwanted sexual attention in the workplace.
All Teamsters have a stake in stopping sexual harassment.
When we show management that we will defend workers'
rights and insist on basic respect for all, we are much
stronger in dealing with other issues as well. On the
other hand, if we show management that we can be divided,
the employer will exploit our differences.
This booklet will help Teamster officers, stewards, union
representatives and members tackle harassment problems
in the workplace. It explains what sexual harassment
is, what steps unions should-and legally must-take to
pro protect sexual harassment victims, and how to prevent
future incidents from occurring.
The booklet also explains ways to sharply reduce harass
harassment while, at the same time, building local union
solidarity
IT'S ABOUT POWER
Sexual harassment victims have one
thing in common. They are all vulnerable. Some are
vulnerable because of their low status in the workplace.
They have little power on the job; they need their
paychecks; the job market is tight and they have families
to support.
When a woman is harassed by someone in a position of
authority over her, her livelihood is at stake. She
may get a poor recommendation, or an unsatisfactory
evaluation on her record. She may lose her raise, her
promotion, or even her job.
Harassment is Unwanted
Sexual Attention
Sexual attention becomes
harassment when it is unwanted. The person
who is receiving that attention is the one
who has the right to determine whether this
attention is wanted or not.
If a person doesn't want
the attention or it makes her uncomfortable—and
it persists—the behavior becomes harassment. |
Or, a harassment victim may be forced
to work in a hostile or intimidating environment. This
is also sexual harassment even if there is no danger
of losing a job benefit, such as a raise or a promotion.
Most often, this type of harassment comes from co-
workers. While co- workers don't have the authority
to take the job away, the harassment may be so persistent
that the job becomes intolerable.
A LABOR CONCERN
Sexual harassment is a labor concern
that should be confronted with the same resources and
energy that unions use to attack issues of pay and
benefits. Sexual harassment can create an intolerable
working condition.
In fact, some experts believe that sexual harassment
may be one of the most widespread occupational health
hazards women face.
While no comprehensive survey on sexual harassment
has yet been completed, studies consistently reveal
that 50 to 75 percent of all working women experience
some form of on-the-job sexual harassment.
AFFECTS WOMEN AND MEN
Ninety percent of all sexual harassment
complaints are filed by women because of conduct by
men. One percent are filed by men, who are harassed
by women. And nine per cent are filed by people who
are harassed by members of their own sex.
Because the vast majority of sexual harassment complaints
are filed by women, victims often are referred to as
women in this booklet.
DEFINING THE SEXUAL HARASSMENT
EXPERIENCE
Most incidents of sexual harassment
have five key characteristics. These provide a useful
guideline.
- Sexual harassment involves
behavior with sexual content.
- Sexual harassment is unwelcome.
- Sexual harassment is usually repeated.
The more extreme the harassment, however, the less
often it needs to occur in order to constitute harassment.
- Sexual harassment causes the
victim discomfort or humiliation.
- Sexual harassment affects the
victim's job. The effect can be direct. The supervisor
can say, Sleep with me, or you're fired." Or
the effect can be indirect. A harasser's behavior
can make a victim feel so uncomfortable that she
dreads coming to work and works poorly because of
it.
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