Team Dynamics: Sexual Harassment

Team Dynamics: Sexual Harassment

By

June 1, 2008

Sexual harassment is experienced everyday by both men and women in the workplace. Which can affect team dynamics. I found that women are more likely harassed than males. This can have a major effect on the team dynamic when working on projects or daily job functions. Fifty percent of women and fifteen percent of men believe that they have been sexually harassed in the workplace (eserver.org/feminism/preventing-harassement.txt). It does not state how many were actually harassed, but it did provide an unsafe working environment. Recent reports indicate that sexual harassment has reached the highest levels of management (www3.uakron.edu/lawrev/robert1.html).

Sexual harassment is considered any unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidelines regarding the new directives employer groups were to follow regarding sexual harassment. Pro-active actions were taken against sexual harassment in the workplace the large number of claims filed against employers could be prevented. If human resources and management too would take all complaints serious then team dynamics would not be an issue. Moral from the workers are low, especially if you are the one being harassed. The worker can feel isolated and unable to perform their job duties. On the other hand the harasser can feel like they are unstoppable due to the fact they are able to get away with harassing co-workers. This atmosphere really affects the team dynamics with call in’s, sloppy work, and segregation on the team. No one will want to work with the harasser or the person getting harassed due to feeling as they may become a target.

The team dynamic can be alter completely if the manager or supervisor is doing the harassing. This is called Quid Pro Quo, which is when a person of authority or supervisor conditioning the granting of an economic benefit upon receipt of sexual favors from a subordinate (eserver.org/feminism/preventing-harassement.txt).