Workplace Sexual Harassment

Sexual Harassment
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Sexual Harassment
“Fighting Back: Workplace Sexual Harassment and the Case of North Country.”
I have learned numerous crucial things from the article above by Paula McDonald and Sandra Backstrom. The article is based on the movie North Country of 2005, which portrays Josie Aimes and her female colleagues being subjected to brutal sexual harassment, including physical sexual assault and name-calling (McDonald & Backstrom, 2008). First, I have learned that sexual harassment is a significant problem that occurs in different occupations and industries, costing organizations millions of dollars annually in decreased work efficiency and lost productivity (McDonald & Backstrom, 2008). Second, many victims are unable to stand up for themselves. Third, some behaviors related to sexual harassment include coercion, threat, unwelcome comments or remarks, physical contact, unwanted gestures, and unwanted touching. Fourth, sexual harassment can lead to adverse workplace outcomes, such as elevated stress, absenteeism, job dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, and job turnover.
I agree with the authors’ analysis of the backfire theory. In particular, the backfire theory postulates that an action is considered unjust or violates social norms if the information is communicated to the audience, which has the capacity of causing outrage and backfires on the perpetrator (McDonald & Backstrom, 2008). Sexual harassers inhibit outrage, which can be countered if the victim stands up or oppose the harassment. In addition, the individual can use devaluation or spread sexual rumors about a person’s sex life. Harassers use reinterpretation to construe sexual harassment as acceptable, understandable, and normal. In some instances, they inhibit outrage by thwarting the official procedures. Finally, harassers use bribery or intimidation when the victim threatens to complain about sexual harassment so that they can remain silent.
In my opinion, harassers do everything to conceal harassment. They do not like to be exposed, which is why they intimidate or bribe their victims when they threaten to report or open a lawsuit. I think the best way to counter sexual harassment is by c...