SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE Sexual Harassment: Out of the Shadows and into the Spotlight BY GLENNISHA MORGAN

he list of powerful men brought have ranged from touching the bare back pro quo, which means if you do this for me, down by accusations of sexual of a colleague to groping and sexual as­ which is usually something of a sexual na­ harassment and assault has sault. It’s the hot topic leading most news ture, I’ll do this for you.” mushroomed since the Harvey programs as well as the chatter around Nancy Richards-Stower, a NH attorney Weinstein scandal broke in Oc­ water coolers and boardrooms. And with who has 42 years experience, including tober: Kevin Spacey, Russell Simmons,such Matt a range of accusations, many of these 1,000 workplace-related sexual harassment Lauer,T Rep. John Conyers, Garrison Keillor, conversations include the question, “what cases during her career, agrees, that, simply John Lasseter of Pixar, Charlie Rose, Louis constitutes sexual harassment?” put, sexual harassment is unwelcomed sexu­ C.K., Jeffrey Tambor, Michael Oreskes of “Sexual harassment is any unwanted sex­ al advances and requests NPR, Hamilton Fish of New Republic, and ual advances or comments that would make for favors. Mark Halperin of MSNBC. someone feel uncomfortable or feel like it “It just makes it That’s just a few of the scandals and the makes for a hostile work environment,” says impossible or unrea­ list keeps growing as more women, and Amy Culp, the director of the University sonable for the victim some men, come forward emboldened by of NH’s Sexual Harassment & Rape Pre­ to perform her job in other victims coming forward with their vention Program (SHARPP). “Sexual a hostile atmosphere,” own stories and the #metoo social harassment is a sub-category of sex­ Richards-Stower says. media movement which ual assault. There’s She reiterates that the was started by Tarana ranges of it. key word is unwel­ Burke. Accusations There’s quid comed.

4 SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE

Stopping Harassment company’s sexual harassment policy in the So, how do employers combat these un­ break room. It’s about setting a tone where 6 Questions to Ask welcomed advances in their work spaces? the leader makes it clear that we want a When Purchasing Sexual The UNH’s Prevention Innovations Re­ workplace that cultivates acknowledging Harassment Prevention search Center director of practice Jane everybody’s values,” Stapleton explains. Stapleton says that sexual harassment in the “Maybe they [employees] know what the Programs workplace isn’t going to stop by just show­ law is, but knowing what the law is, is ing one video on the matter and having em­ not going to prevent the problem. We’ve 1. Were the programs ployees sign off on a policy. She says that had the Equal Pay Act since 1963. Do developed by experts? a culture free of misconduct must be built. women have equal pay? We’ve had the “Prevention is about teaching people how Civil Rights Act for decades. Is there still 2. What's the theory to stop behaviors before they happen. You racism in the United States? Maybe now, of change? can’t just tell people here’s the policy and ex­ more than ever.” Essentially this is asking, how do pect that that’s going to stop them from either Stapleton says that employers shouldn’t you know it works? What are your sexual harassing someone, or that’s going to think about sexual harassment from a “defi­ objectives? If it's ju st to teach help them intervene to help someone else. cit mind set.” Instead they should be think­ employees about the policy, it You really need to teach them skills. Preven­ ing about what they would like to create. won't work. tion is knowledge plus action. We’re looking “What is it that we want to build? What is it to change behavior,” says the social scientist. that we want to flourish?” she asks. “It’s not about just preventing things. With lives, careers and profits on the line, 3. Is the program or It’s about how you create a culture in the some businesses are re-examining their cul­ product trauma informed workplace that doesn’t support sexual ha­ tures, policies and their approaches to sexual and survivor centered? rassment, or hate crimes, or racism. It’s like, harassment claims. To aid in those discus­ One in four women will be victim­ what kind of work environment do we want sions, Business NH Magazine has compiled ized by unwanted sexual contact to be in? And how do we teach people how this special section delving into the issues of or sexual assault in their lifetime, to cultivate that type of work environment?” sexual harassment in the workplace, what and one in eight men. Does this That starts at the top with leadership. contributes to it and what businesses prevention strategy really account “Leadership is really crucial. It’s not can do to prevent and better for the fact that you most likely enough to post the respond to it. ■ have people who have been victimized and are survivors? Are you going to re-victimize them?

4. Are the scenarios victim blaming?

5. What language is being used?

6. How have the target audiences informed the development of the product? This is a sexual harassment prevention program for employees, £and if employees have not contributed to de­ veloping this, then how transferrable is it?

Source: Jane Stapleton, University o f NH's Prevention Innovations Research Center director of practice i BUSINESS NH MAGAZINE JANUARY 2018 3 9 Copyright of Business NH Magazine is the property of Millyard Communications, Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.