Objectives
Students will:
- Identify verbal and nonverbal behaviors that constitute sexual harassment.
- Identify verbal and nonverbal behaviors that are the recommended alternatives to behaviors that constitute sexual harassment.
- Model verbal and nonverbal behaviors that are the recommended alternatives to behaviors that constitute sexual harassment.
- Understand that all employees have a right to work in a safe environment that is not sexually threatening.
- Understand the importance of avoiding and preventing sexual harassment at work.
- Understand how sexual harassment negatively impacts the organization.
- Understand how sexual harassment on the job can undercut productivity.
- Understand how sexual harassment on the job can disrupt morale and teamwork.
- Understand that sexual harassment at work can be grounds for dismissal.
- Identify verbal and nonverbal signals that make clear to someone that his/her sexual behavior or comments are unwanted.
- Model asserting themselves and using other verbal and nonverbal behaviors to make clear to a co-worker that his/ her sexual behavior is unacceptable.
Step 1: Lesson Introduction
Last time, we found out that sleeping on the job is never acceptable. Today we'll learn about another type of behavior that is unacceptable: sexual harassment. Make sure that students have a clear understanding of what this term means. Ask students if they have ever been subjected to unwelcome sexual comments or advances or touching. How did these experiences make them feel? Ask why they think employers enforce strict policies against sexual harassment on the job. Tell them that in today's video, they'll see what can happen if they try to sexually harass a co-worker on the job.
▶️ Show the video.
⏸️ Stop the video when the "Pause for Discussion" title appears on the screen.
Step 2: Guided Discussion, Part 1
What did the employee do that was not smart?
He touched his co-worker when he was punching in. He persisted with his advances after she declined his invitation to coffee. He blocked her way when she tried to go to her job. He touched her again, this time on her private parts. He repeatedly tried to kiss her even after she said no and pushed him away. His unsmiling face made her afraid. He lied when his boss confronted him, and he used a hostile tone of voice.
What happened to the employee because he was not smart?
He got fired.
Why was the employee's behavior unacceptable to the boss and to the organization?
We learned earlier that the purpose of going to work is to do your job, not to socialize or get a date, or engage in intimate behavior. All employees have a right to do their jobs in a safe working environment. If employees don't feel safe and secure, they can't work effectively, and the organization will lose money. One kind of behavior that makes many employees feel unsafe is unwanted sexual comments or advances or touching. This is one reason why it's not a good idea to ask a co-worker for a date while you're on company time; your request or affectionate behavior may make the other person feel unsafe or uncomfortable. It can affect this person's job performance and undermine teamwork as well. If you get turned down for a date, or if the other person makes clear that your attention is unwanted, you must back off. If you persist, you are guilty of sexual harassment.
How could the employee have been JobSmart?
Have students discuss how the employee could have been JobSmart in the same situation. Then tell students to watch the next part of the video to see one way the employee could have been JobSmart.
▶️ Start the video again.
⏸️ Stop the video when the "Pause for Discussion" title appears on the screen.
Step 3: Guided Discussion, Part 2
How was the employee JobSmart this time?
When he accidentally touched her, he immediately backed away and apologized. He smiled and used a friendly, helpful tone of voice. His actions were helpful and work-related-showing her how to use the time clock and giving directions to her work area.
What happened because he was JobSmart?
His co-worker thanked him for his help. He established a friendly working relationship with his co-worker; he helped her feel safe and welcome in a new job by showing that he was focused on work, not on sexual gratification. This will help her work productively, and they will be able to work effectively together as well.
Step 4: Activities
- Invite employers or human resource professionals from the community to discuss:
- Verbal and nonverbal behaviors that constitute sexual harassment
- How sexual harassment on the job can undercut productivity
- How sexual harassment on the job can disrupt morale and teamwork among co-workers
- Why sexual harassment on the job is unacceptable in their organizations and what grounds for termination
- Specific instances when they have had to terminate employees for sexual harassment on the job.
- Have students create a chart of verbal and nonverbal behaviors that constitute sexual harassment. Make this list as detailed and specific as possible. For instance, under the item "sexual comments" include such examples as off-color jokes, remarks on the bodies of co-workers, etc.
- Have students create a chart of verbal and nonverbal behaviors that are the recommended alternatives to the above behaviors that constitute sexual harassment. Here, focus on behaviors that are safe, friendly, helpful, non-threatening, work-related, appropriate for the situation, and sensitive to the signals of others. Again, make this list as detailed and specific as possible.
- Have students roleplay safe, helpful, friendly, work-related, non-sexually harassing behaviors modeled after the second part of the video segment and the above chart.
- Have students create a chart of verbal and nonverbal signals or cues that make clear to someone that his/her sexual behavior or comments are unwanted.
- Have students conduct non-touching roleplays, based on the first part of the video segment, in which they practice asserting themselves and using other behaviors from the above chart to make clear to their co-worker that his/her sexual behavior is unacceptable.