L’ Oreal, Estee Lauder Companies Inc., Shisiedo Company Ltd and Revlon Inc. have sexual harassment policies aimed at providing working places that are free from discrimination based on sex. The policies stipulate that sexual harassment will result to disciplinary action and in some situations it will lead to dismissal. Sexual harassment in the workplace may also lead to civil penalties in some instances. These companies’ policies have similar definitions of the term sexual harassment which they define as any sexual advances which are unwelcome, sexual favour requests or any other conduct sexual in nature if a person is required to submit to such a conduct before being employed in such companies.
Denial of an employment opportunity to a qualified and skilled individual simply because such an individual have rejected the employer or supervisor’s sexual advances or favors is also a form of sexual harassment. Subjection of an individual by his or her co-workers to unwelcome sexual behavior because of his or her gender is also another form of sexual harassment under the policies. This is because such a conduct lowers the performance level of the said employee and makes the working condition non-conducive.
The sexual harassment policies of these companies obligate individual employees to avoid any form of sexual harassment. Liability is imposed on those who sexually harass their fellow co-workers. The policies further obligate the supervisors with preventing sexual harassment in the workplaces. Supervisors should address cases of sexual harassment with seriousness and take the requisite action, whether disciplinary or otherwise, as provided for under the companies’ policies and regulations. They should ensure that when employees make sexual harassment complaints, no form of retaliation will be taken against them. The policies require each one in the workplace to be vigilant and quick to note any form of sexual harassment and address it as required in order to maintain a safe and healthy working environment and relationship.
References
Agon, J. (2012). Registration Document L'Oreal 2012: Annual Financial Report.
Catalosi, C. (2012). Stopping Sexual Harassment. Newyork: Palgrave.
Gerdes, L. (2011). Sexual Harassment. David Bender.
Ugen, C. (2012). Sexual Harassment as Gendered Expression of Power. London: Rodney.
