Work Mode with Brown Uzoukwu: How to Avoid Being a Victim of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

We have seen people come on social media to wave the red flag of sexual harassment. They do this either to solicit for support, solution or sympathy- or mainly to generate traffic. Whichever is the case is not relevant now; but the truth is that most of our work places are not devoid of cases of sexual harassments among colleagues or between bosses and subordinates.

However, we shouldn’t be too critical. Most of the sexual relationships and advancements in the workplace are not really cases of sexual harassments. It will be unfair and completely out of place to say that a case of two flirts letting their wild imaginations find expression while at work is a case of sexual harassment. So at what point do we classify sexual advancement as sexual harassment?

The dictionary defines ‘sexual harassment’ as comments about sex or physical contacts usually happening at work that a person finds annoying and offensive; which means that what we now call sexual harassment is relative. Because for it to be really a case of sexual harassment, one must find it offensive and annoying. We all know, different things annoy different people.
While a certain lady might find it cool and complimentary if she is told she is looking sexy in her outfit by a male colleague, she finds it annoying whenever you try to grab her ass while walking down the stairs. For some other lady, the mere fact that you find her sexually attractive in her outfit and also took it a step further by voicing it out by telling her she is looking sexy is more than enough case of sexual harassment. So you see, sexual harassment means different things to different folks.

However, whatever is your own definition of sexual harassment, it can be avoided. Here are few tips to guard yourself against sexual harassment in the workplace.

1: Always ensure to allow due process take its course in your attempt to get a job or a promotion in an organization. Don’t cut corners, or become so desperate for the job to the point of giving your body for it. Some persons, especially the ladies are guilty of this act. They allow themselves get laid because of a job offer, with the hope of cutting off the ties when they finally get the job. The truth is that, any job placement or promotion you secured based on your sexual prowess must of necessity be sustained by your sexual prowess. Most times, there is no room for repentance. If you do sincerely repent, you had better resign from that job or position.

2: Make sure you are productive at your organization. Try as much as you can to deliver on your job. Provide value to the system that employs you or else, you will always find yourself being at the mercy of one Casanova for your job security. If you don’t work on your productivity level, you will find yourself using your body to make up for unmet targets and uncompleted assignments. Most times, victims of sexual harassment in the workplace are people who really do not produce expected result at work.

3: I know it’s a cliché by now but I still have to emphasize on the dangers of indecent dressing. When you dress provocatively, you make yourself prone to unsolicited sexual remarks and advancement from colleagues of the opposite sex, which you might find annoying and offensive. I don’t know why the dictionary definition of sexual harassment did not provide for this, but the truth is that, when you dress in a certain way to work, you are already harassing some people sexually even without making any physical contacts You don’t want to catch someone stealing repeated glances at your boobs. I know it makes some ladies happy catching someone stealing such glances – that is why I said cases of sexual harassment is relative. Please help others focus at work and help yourself too.

4: Resist and shun any slightest form of sexual harassment by anyone in your work place no matter how small, unserious, or accidental it might seem. Do this firmly but politely. Don’t condone compliments that pays tributes to your sexual attributes. Draw the line from day one if you want to win the war against sexual harassment in your workplace. Like they say, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a step. Therefore, before the sexual advances gets out of your control, take care of it at those early stages when it was still rearing its ugly head as a compliment, harmless gift or a free lunch.

5: Finally, I know that you are an adult. I also know that as an adult you have a right to sexual relationships. But please, try as much as you can and keep your sex life away from your workplace. Sometimes, it is difficult to resist sexual advances from your boss, when he or she is aware that you’re digging it out with someone else in that organization.

I hope my tips will do. Stay productive and enjoy your work. Remember, the quickest way to fall in love with your job is to imagine yourself without one. Thank God it’s Monday.

Photo Credit: Dreamstime