Human Resource Problems: Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Not what you're looking for?
Each question needs to be answered in 600 words or more. Please provide a full justification for your reasoning and references.
1. A woman hired as a prison librarian complained about harassment by a supervisor from another agency that operated at the prison. The behavior that was the subject of her complaint, some of which was witnessed by other employees, occurred about four times a week from the time that she hired in July 200 to October 2001. Her complaints about the supervisor included making comments to another male supervisor that the woman should be "spanked" everyday; making insistent compliments about her appearance and "how attractive" she was; staring at her breasts during conversations; measuring her skirt for the purported purpose of determining whether it complied with the prison's dress code; and repeatedly remarking that if he has such an attractive wife, he would never allow her to work in a prison around so many inmates. Allegedly, for safety reasons, the supervisor had a security camera installed in the librarian's office, permitting him to observe her as she worked at her desk. Right after the objectionable conduct began, the librarian complained to her immediate supervisor, who said, "boys will be boys" and took no action. She did not file a formal complaint. She believed that she was ineligible to file a formal complaint during her first year of employment due to her probationary status. After she had been on the job for more than a year, she complained to another manager and an internal investigation was undertaken at that point. The woman sued. What should the court decide? Why?
2. A 17-year-old female supermarket employee was being severely harassed by a coworker. Twice she complained about the harassment to her fiancé, who also worked at the supermarket. Twice the fiancé reported the harassment to the store manager. Both times the manager informed him that under company policy, the woman had to report the harassment herself and make the report directly to the human resources department. The woman did not make the report to the HR department and later sued. What should the court decide? Why?
Purchase this Solution
Solution Summary
This solution discusses two case studies on sexual harassment in the workplace.
Solution Preview
http://www.aauw.org/what-we-do/legal-resources/know-your-rights-at-work/workplace-sexual-harassment/
http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/svaw/harassment/explore/1whatis.htm
1. A woman hired as a prison librarian complained about harassment by a supervisor from another agency that operated at the prison. The behavior that was the subject of her complaint, some of which was witnessed by other employees, occurred about four times a week from the time that she hired in July 200 to October 2001. Her complaints about the supervisor included making comments to another male supervisor that the woman should be "spanked" everyday; making insistent compliments about her appearance and "how attractive" she was; staring at her breasts during conversations; measuring her skirt for the purported purpose of determining whether it complied with the prison's dress code; and repeatedly remarking that if he has such an attractive wife, he would never allow her to work in a prison around so many inmates. Allegedly for safety reasons, the supervisor had a security camera installed in the librarian's office, permitting him to observe her as she worked at her desk. Right after the objectionable conduct began, the librarian complained to her immediate supervisor, who said, "boys will be boys" and took no action. She did not file a formal complaint. She believed that she was ineligible to file a formal complaint during her first year of employment due to her probationary status. After she had been on the job for more than a year, she complained to another manager and an internal investigation was undertaken at that point. The woman sued. What should the court decide? Why?
This case symbolizes the definition of sexual harassment, which is a form of sex discrimination in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In a quick summarization, sexual harassment" is (any) unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Federal law prohibits discrimination in employment based on sex, race, color, national origin, and religion, and it applies to employers with 15 or more employees, including federal, state, and local governments. In this case, the employee has been subjected to unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that has ...
Purchase this Solution
Free BrainMass Quizzes
Accounting: Statement of Cash flows
This quiz tests your knowledge of the components of the statements of cash flows and the methods used to determine cash flows.
Organizational Behavior (OB)
The organizational behavior (OB) quiz will help you better understand organizational behavior through the lens of managers including workforce diversity.
Change and Resistance within Organizations
This quiz intended to help students understand change and resistance in organizations
Operations Management
This quiz tests a student's knowledge about Operations Management
Basic Social Media Concepts
The quiz will test your knowledge on basic social media concepts.