Sexual harassment: “Is it just me or are you hot?”

Abstract

This chapter reviews what constitutes sexual harassment, its prevalence in the US workforce, its potential causes, and the detrimental effects it has on victims, victims’ work groups, and their organizations as a whole. Situational and individual predictors of sexual harassment are explored. Also included is a review of how employee rights and quality of work life, as well the organizational bottom line, are jeopardized by the occurrence of sexual harassment. Ultimately, the authors conclude that sexual harassment is a significant problem facing organizations today. Even the most carefully developed, well-intentioned preventative measures are unlikely to completely prevent it. Programs for preventing sexual harassment are discussed along with recommendations for stopping sexual harassment, restoring employee quality of work life, and minimizing legal exposure.