WORKPLACE POLICIES
Employers are key in destroying culture of sexual harassment
'Every business should consider how its policies and practices may inadvertently contribute to a culture of acceptance or denial of sexual harassment scourge,' writes Johan Botes
Sexual harassment remains a scourge in the workplace and warrants concerted efforts by progressively minded companies and individuals if we wish to dramatically improve the work experience of so many long-suffering female employees. While incidents of male sexual harassment exist and deserve equal scorn, women remain the focus of many predators. Recent reports of a Hollywood mogul’s antics serve to highlight that no workplace or industry is immune to the unwarranted sexual advances of delinquent managers, supervisors, colleagues and clients. Every business should consider how its policies and practices may inadvertently contribute to a culture of acceptance or denial of this scourge. Employers who fail to take reasonable steps should expect little sympathy in the employment tribunal and courts (including the critical court of public opinion) when their executives or staff are shamed for their sexual antics in the workplace. In SA, many businesses have made great strides in embracing...
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