In the Workplace
Violence and sexual harassment at work are the most widespread threats faced by many people at their workplace. Such threatening types of behavior can occur both at the workplace and outside the office. In terms of this paper we will discuss these notions, find similarities and differences between them.
Workplace violence and sexual harassment are similar and different phenomena at the same time. We will begin our discussion with their similarities. Thus, both phenomena may have a number of displays, including verbal and physical abuse. Apart from that, sexual harassment and violence at workplace can affect any person, both men and women.
It cannot be denied that there is also a huge difference between workplace violence and sexual harassment. The differences are mainly seen in the motives of abusers, place, where the action occurs, etc. It is essential to discuss these distinctive features in details.
First of all, it is necessary to understand that the reasons for violence and sexual harassment are rather different. Thus, sexual harassment helps offenders to show their priority and assert themselves. Frequently their victims are people who differ from them by their ethnicity, race, religion, etc. Violent behavior has different roots and quite often its aim is to harm those people who are weaker than the offender. It is remarkable that in the majority of cases, a person, who displays violent behavior, knows his abuser quite well. On the contrary, sexual harassment may be easily done both by a person you know well and not.
Although everything is done in order to eradicate these phenomena from our lives, they are still rather widespread. All people should remember that such actions are against the law and abusers should be punished. This can be done if co-workers, employers and company’s customers unite their efforts and fight against harassment and violence in their workplace.
References
Preventing Violence and Harassment at the Workplace. (2010). Workplace Health and Safety
Bulletin. Retrieved from http://employment.alberta.ca/documents/WHS/WHS-PUB
VAH001.pdf
