Is It Workplace Harassment?
Discrimiation?
React
to each of the following:
1) _______ Calling
another student his/her nickname
2) _______ Telling
a friend you like their present
3) _______ Complimenting
a coworker on their looks
4) _______ Telling
a “blond” or “Polish” joke
5) _______ Teasing
a coworker about going to church
6) _______ Always
talking about the size of someone
7) _______ Apologizing
for what you said with responses like:
“It’s just a joke.”
“Where is your
sense of humor.”
“Can’t you take
it.”
8) _______ Flirting
9) _______ Full,
frontal hugs
10)
_______ Attempting to look down a female’s shirt
11)
_______ A stare-down contest
12)
_______ Frequently bumping into others
13)
_______ Calling a friend, a “Black.” A Negro?
14)
_______ Often embarrassing a coworker
15)
_______ Making fun of other’s clothing, cars, grades, home, parents
16)
_______ Pushing others around physically
17)
_______ Not wanting to be in group work with a minority member
18)
_______ Putting down athletes
19)
_______ Winking at others
20)
_______ Coughing repeatedly each time a certain coworker talks
Based
upon these situations:
What
is your definition of harassment?
What
is your definition of discrimination?
Here
are some good rules for dealing with harassment:
Use
the candid camera test: If you are wondering whether to put your arm around a co-worker or
plant a kiss on someone’s cheek, ask your self if you’d feel embarrassed if
someone shot a picture of the scene and passed it around work. If it would be hard for you to explain, it
would probably be embarrassing for the recipient as well.
Think
of how it would look in print: Before
telling a joke or store, imagine seeing it in the Tri-City Herald – ascribed to
you. While good natured humor is always
welcome, resist the temptation to go for a laugh at someone’s expense whether
because of gender, race ethnicity or occupation.
Compliment
on merit, not appearance: Men don’t compliment a woman on what she’s wearing. This puts her gender above her status as a
co-worker – something a lot of women resent.
This frustrates women’s ability to be considered serious employee’s that
make real contributions to an organization.
Guys,
back off: Experts in non-verbal communication say, men
are more likely to “invade” other’s personal space. Women interpret these actions as domineering, sexual, or
threatening. Men tend to perceive a
woman’s touching them as a sexual overture, regardless of the context. To avoid confusing signals, keep your
distance and your hands to yourself.
Speak
up: If you
disagree with what someone says, learn to respond diplomatically by focusing on
the behavior and not the person. All
you have to say is, “I find your behavior (be specific) offensive, and I’d
appreciate your stopping it.”
Listen
to complaints:
If someone says they are offended by your words or actions – they probably
are. If you don’t understand why – find
out, either from them or another trusted confident. Don’t try to talk them into changing their perception when it is
your problem.
Use
diplomacy:
Assume the best in people until they show the worst. Most people do not intend to offend others, and will stop
immediately when diplomatically confronted.
Approach either side of a complaint in a calm manner, using non-blaming
words and tones.