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The Rationale behind the Communication Decisions:
Sexual Harassment

The Rationale behind the Communication Decisions:
Sexual Harassment The problem of sexual harassment is increasingly "coming out of the closet". Companies are starting to realize that the problem is real; some managers are admitting that it could affect their staff, and more victims are starting to gather the courage to complain. And in terms of recent labor legislation, victims do have legal recourse. Yet most people do not fully understand the problem, its causes, its consequences, or its extent. Even more difficult is the question: How does one deal with such behavior? Before considering the causes and consequences of, and possible cures for, this deep-rooted problem, we shall have to define it. We shall also describe six different types of harassers, and consider who the victims are usually. Every man and woman, who becomes aware of the implications of this issue, can help both companies and individuals to address this insidious and destructive problem. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) describes sexual harassment as a form of gender discrimination that is in violation of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. In 1998, the U.S. Supreme Court made employers more liable for sexual harassment of their employees. Moreover, the Society for Human Resource Management has reported that 62% of companies now offer sexual harassment prevention training programs, and 97% have a written sexual harassment policy. The causes of sexual harassment at work can be complex, and steeped in socialization, politics, and psychology. Work relationships can be quite intimate and intense, and those involved share common interests. Employee's are dependent on each other for teamwork and support, and are dependent on their supervisor's approval for opportunities and career

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