Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Sexual harassment exists in practically all industries in the Philippines.  Although women are the usual victims, men are also vulnerable to sexual harassment.  Male managers and supervisors are the most likely sexual aggressors.

Sexual harassment can victimize anybody, regardless of one’s professional position or rank.  In some instances, it is being used by employers as a union-busting mechanism.

There is a high incidence of sexual harassment in industries where physical appearance is a foremost consideration.  These include workers in hotels restaurants, banks, media and entertainment, and in female-dominated industries such as garments and electronics.

Women workers are often victims of sexual harassment.  Majority of them are waitresses, bank employees and workers in industries which have a predominantly female workforce.

Male managers and supervisors are usually the sexual aggressors.  They often use their positions to take advantage of female subordinates.  Co-workers can also be aggressors – they can make the work environment difficult for their colleagues.

Clients and customers are also capable of perpetrating sexual harassment.  They use their positions to demand sexual favors from employees of the firm they are dealing with, where transactions may be cancelled in retaliation to “uncooperative” employees.

Victims of sexual harassment are often traumatized and exhibit signs of physical and emotional stress.  Such manifestations are in the form of headaches, ulcers, and other nervous disorders as well as loss of self-esteem, tension, anger, and fear.

The physical and psychological effects of sexual harassment have negative implications on workers’ job performance.  They are likely to be less productive and less motivated.

Employers are likely to incur additional costs through payment of sick pay and medical insurance of victim-workers.