Workplace Sexual Harassment

by Levy, Anne C.; Paludi, Michele A.

• ISBN13: 9780130415608
• ISBN10: 013041560X
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-01-01
• Publisher: PRENTICE HALL

Summary

Sexual harassment continues to be one of the most complex issues in today's workplace. This book provides resources necessary for:

• Understanding from both a legal and psychological perspective what sexual harassment is
• Educating the reader about why sexual harassment occurs and how training can help to prevent it
• Putting together a policy that meets the law's requirements
• Carrying out an investigation that can sidestep liability if sexual harassment does occur in the workplace

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
About the Authors	xiii
Acknowledgments	xiv
PART I: UNDERSTANDING SEXUAL HARASSMENT: LEGAL AND PSYCHLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES	1	(86)
The American Legal System	3	(8)
Case Study	3	(1)
Introduction	3	(1)
The Court Systems	3	(2)
The Types of Laws	5	(1)
The Hierarchy of Laws	6	(1)
The Interplay of State and Federal Laws	6	(2)
The Role of Precedent	8	(1)
The Role of Government Agencies	8	(1)
Alternate Dispute Resolution	9	(1)
Summary	10	(1)
For Reflection	10	(1)
Notes	10	(1)
Sexual Harassment from the Legal Perspective	11	(50)
Cast Study	11	(1)
Introduction	12	(1)
The Statutory Framework	12	(1)
Who Is an Employee for Purposes of the Statutory Law	13	(1)
Defining Sexual Harassment	14	(1)
The Two Types of Sexual Harassment	15	(6)
Quid Pro Quo Harassment	15	(6)
``Hostile'' or Work Environment Harassment	21	(31)
Pivotal ``Hostile'' Environment Cases	22	(6)
The Elements of a ``Hostile'' Environment Claim	28	(11)
Examples of Harassing Behavior	39	(3)
Employer ``Excuses''	42	(2)
The Limits of Liability for ``Hostile'' Environments	44	(8)
Who Is an Employee for Purposes of Title VII?	52	(1)
Damages Available in Sexual Harassment Lawsuits	52	(5)
Equitable Damages	52	(2)
Other Damages	54	(1)
Retaliation	54	(3)
Summary	57	(1)
For Reflection	57	(1)
Notes	58	(3)
Sexual Harassment from the Psychological Perspective	61	(26)
Case Study	61	(1)
Introduction	61	(1)
Empirical Definition of Sexual Harassment	62	(2)
Incidence of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace	64	(2)
Occupational Group Differences	66	(1)
Gender Stereotyping: Relationship to Sexual Harassment	67	(1)
A Psychological Analysis of Why Sexual Harassment Occurs	68	(1)
Men's Relationships with Men	68	(1)
Aggression and Sexual Harassment	69	(1)
Who Harasses?	69	(1)
Can and Do Women Harass Men?	70	(1)
Sexual Harassment: Women, Men, Sex, Power, and Aggression	71	(1)
Interpretation of Sexual Harassment: Impact on Recipients	72	(3)
Sexual Harassment: Issues across the Life Cycle	75	(1)
Incidence of Sexual Harassment of Students	76	(3)
From the Psychology Laboratory to the Workplace: Using Psychological Research and Theories to Deal with Sexual Harassment	79	(1)
Summary	79	(1)
For Reflection	80	(1)
Notes	81	(6)
PART II: PREVENTING SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE	87	(68)
Avoiding Liability through an Effective Policy	89	(18)
Case Study	89	(1)
Introduction	90	(1)
Policies and Quid Pro Quo Harassment	90	(1)
Policies and Hostile Environment Harassment	90	(1)
An Overview of an Effective Policy	91	(1)
Key Elements in an Effective Policy	92	(6)
Describing the Investigation Process	98	(3)
Effective Communication of the Policy	101	(1)
Compliance as Every Manager's Responsibility	101	(1)
Affirmative Diagnostic Procedures	102	(2)
Summary	104	(1)
For Reflection	105	(1)
Notes	105	(2)
Legal Requirements for Investigating and Remedying Sexual Harassment	107	(12)
Case Study	107	(1)
Introduction	108	(2)
When an Investigation Must Be Undertaken	110	(1)
Promptness	110	(1)
Confidentiality	110	(1)
Impartiality	111	(1)
Carrying Out the Investigation	112	(3)
The ``Payoff''	115	(1)
Lawsuits by Fired Employees	116	(1)
Union Considerations	117	(1)
Summary	117	(1)
For Reflection	117	(1)
Notes	118	(1)
Implementing Procedures for Resolving Complaints of Sexual Harassment	119	(28)
Introduction	119	(2)
Who Should Investigate Complaints of Sexual Harassment	121	(3)
Women or Men as Investigators	124	(1)
Psychological Issues Involved in the Victimization Process: Making Them Central to the Investigatory Process	124	(2)
Supportive Techniques for Working with Individuals Involved in a Sexual Harassment Investigatory Process	126	(3)
Responding to a Complaint of Sexual Harassment	129	(9)
From the Laboratory to the Real World	138	(2)
Informal Complaints of Sexual Harassment	140	(1)
Mediation as a Procedure for Resolving Complaints of Sexual Harassment	141	(1)
Additional Issues in Investigating Complaints of Sexual Harassment	141	(1)
Summary	142	(2)
For Reflection	144	(1)
Notes	145	(2)
The Role of the EEOC in Sexual Harassment Situations	147	(8)
Case Study	147	(1)
Introduction	148	(1)
The Authority of the EEOC	148	(1)
Statutes of Limitations	149	(1)
The EEOC Investigation	150	(1)
Right to Sue	151	(1)
Lawsuits	151	(1)
When an Employee Turns to the EEOC	152	(1)
Summary	153	(1)
For Reflection	153	(1)
Notes	154	(1)
Appendix I Resources for Conducting Training Programs on Sexual Harassment	155	(22)
Appendix II Selected Excerpts from the EEOC Guidelines	177	(8)
Appendix III Selected Excerpts from Title VII	185	(8)
Index	193