Issue Of Sexual Harassment In The Workplace example essay topic

... ge to personal reputation, loss of dignity, or even physical injury. Although it is illegal, it continues to happen in this politically correct era. Sexual harassment has many definitions and therefore some people find it difficult to define. Many case studies have been done on the subject of sexual harassment in the workplace in such as fields as: liability, procedures and policies, statistics, civil rights, and power issue. According to (Popovich 315) and her colleagues, sexual harassment in the workplace is phenomenon. They were able to do a study with undergraduates describing sexual harassment incidents in the workplace and scripts resulted.

Those scripts were then by mixed pairs of trained persons. The analysis was able to show that stereotypical beliefs were obvious, with scripts including the harassment of a younger good-looking female underling, generally a secretary, by a male that was her boss. The behaviors of the scripts had a severe to less severe behavior in different settings. Teasing was a form of public harassment that involved multiple harassers.

The victim was treated unprofessional by the bantering harassers. Each form of sexual harassment script was able to show what was deemed as typical behavior, the motive of the harassers, and the response of the victim (Popovich 315). Sexual harassment has been seen as a social interaction. At one time only researchers and feminist theorists were interested in the topic.

Today the topic is an organizational issue. There have been many cases on sexual harassment that was brought to the forefront and into American awareness (Popovich 315). The Equal employment Opportunity Commission established guidelines for the problem of sexual harassment in 1980 (Popovich 315). Since that time research on the matter of sexual harassment has increased steadily. In order to understand sexual harassment more fully, various surveys have been used in the research of sexual harassment. It is evidenced that one person's perception of sexual harassment is unlike another's perception.

A person's perception of sexual harassment depends on several factors to include the gender of the person rating the incident, the position of the person involved in the proposed sexual harassment incident (Popovich 315). How is an incident labeled as sexual harassment? According to (Popovich 315) and her colleagues sexual harassment is subjective in nature. This being the case, it is important to actually discover how people define sexual harassment in the workplace. Subjects have been given lists of behavior that is potentially sexual harassment in order to ascertain their viewpoint on the matter. Based on a college student poll that was done nationally, Fitzgerald and her colleagues were able to develop an instrument that reflects the types of sexual harassment.

Popovich and her colleagues suggest that there are three types of factors involved in sexual harassment: "unwanted sexual attention, sexual coercion, and gender harassment" (Popovich 315). A better understanding may be made of the so-called phenomenon of the sexual harassment by determining the rules that people go by, and what is inferred in behavior causality. Little is known concerning the view that people consider as what is typical when examining incidents of sexual harassment (Popovich 315). Due to sexual harassment, in the court system there have been disagreements concerning the of workplace losses from their general liability policies. Liability insurance has typically been limited to providing coverage for such items as bodily harm or damage to property. In sexual harassment cases, some courts have judged continuing employment as a property right.

Others have taken a more conservative stance in the matter. If the sexual harassment is intentional, this act can be a hurdle that the insured must overcome. Fischer said that the entire issue can be avoided by the purchase of "employment practice liability policies" (Fischer B 9). There has been an employment of several measures for coping with the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace. Barak stated, "Although much of the effort has been provided for special legislation, proper grievance procedures, or actions for organizational change, few attempts have been made to prevent sexual harassment through the application of appropriate training procedures based on effective psycho-educational methods" (Barak 595). A seminar using cognitive-behavior techniques was used to provide women with an awareness concerning sexual harassment at work.

Although the majority of sexual harassment claims are made by women against the opposite sex, same-gender sexual harassment also occurs. In fact same-gender sexual harassment complaints are growing in the American workplace. The statistics are quite staggering. According to (Sipkins and Schmitt B 7) "Sexual harassment complaints by men have tripled since 1991 and now make up 11.6% of cases reported to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and many of these claims involve alleged same-gender sexual harassment" (Sipkins and Schmitt B 7).

According to (Graziano 381) the Civil Rights Act of 1964 named sexual discrimination and granted a right for the remediation of its victims. Women have had centuries of legally and culturally sanctioned abuses; therefore, this act was a fortification for womankind. Unfortunately, however, there has been little effective action by women concerning harassment in the workplace. There has actually been little progress in the area of sexual harassment and the maltreatment of women in the workplace and in schools. Graziano said, "As is often the case, laws have not always changed attitudes of employers, professors, physician, lawyers, judges, or colleagues, and the process of redressing wrongs is frequently at least as stressful and injurious to women's mental and physical health as was the original violation of their rights" (Graziano 381).

Furthermore, "The harmful effects of the harassment or legal procedures on the recipients self-esteem, self-image, career, productivity, economic well-being, and relationships are long lasting and sometimes permanent" (Graziano 381). According to (Graziano 381) sexual harassment's definition is a power issue. In case after case whether the woman is a physician or one that works in a factory, sexual harassment is shown to have a similar experience to rape, abuse that is sexual, and violence that is domestic, in that the women are not believed and they, as victims, are considered at fault. A sexual harassment trial puts the woman on the defensive. She becomes drained emotionally because of the lack of support for her cause (Graziano 381). According to (Desole 155) the issue of sexual harassment is a complex one.

It requires a deep understanding. Sexual harassment has clear ramification, which have been seen to explode in scholarly as well as popular media. Desole posits that a great deal has been published concerning the topic of sexual harassment, yet some questions remain unanswered (Desole 155). There has been no sign of sexual harassment decreasing. The 1990's have seen a barrage of instances of sexual harassment in the workplace even though most people are aware of the problem. The court system has become somewhat responsive to the issue of sexual harassment.

It is suggested that there are many instances of sexual harassment that do not reach visibility, or conclusion in the matter. Desole suggests that such critical dimensions as race, class, and sexual orientation are not substantially taken into account (Desole 155). Even though there are laws against harassment in the workplace, it perseveres as an issue that is morally degrading, hard to fight, and emotionally draining for the women involved. Several studies have been done on the issue and one constant remains clear: each person has his or her own opinion what constitutes sexual harassment. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet, is a story of two young lovers, whose love was destined for destruction. They did not imagine that their love would lead to the tragedies that it did.

These two young people did nothing wrong except fall in love. Three aspects of their destruction included the feud between the two families, the nurse and her betrayal of Juliet and the most important aspect of all is fate. Romeo and Juliet, said to be one of the most famous love stories of all times, is a play anchored on time and fate. Some actions are believed to occur by chance or by destiny. The timing of each action influences the outcome of the play. While some events are of less significance, some are crucial to the development of this tragedy.

The substantial events that inspire the conclusion of Romeo and Juliet are; the family feud, the Capulet ball, the quarrel experienced by Tybalt and Romeo, and Friar John's plague. The feud between the two families was one factor that contributed to the love of Romeo and Juliet being destined for destruction. 'From ancient grudge break to new mutiny'. (Romeo & Juliet, Prologue, pg. 2 l. 3) The two families, Montagues and Capulets, had many problems. There was hate between the two families so much so that even the servants hated each other.

This feud would have caused many problems for Romeo and Juliet: These two young lovers knew this and this is why they kept their marriage a secret. If their parents discovered their secret, they would have made their children's lives miserable. Romeo and Juliet would not have been able to see each other. Both of these families were very stubborn and there was hardly any thing that would have made them become friends. In the prologue we learn that the only way the 'strife' could be ended was by the deaths of Romeo and Juliet.

'Doth with their death bury their parent's strife'. (Romeo & Juliet, Prologue, l. 8) Neither the Montagues or the Capulets would have accepted the marriage. Keeping the marriage a secret caused Romeo and Juliet to turn to other people for help.

Sometimes these people gave them Wrong advice The Nurse was one of these characters who betrayed the young couple. The Nurse who was also Juliet's friend turned against her at a very crucial time. The Nurse told Juliet that it would be best if she married Paris. 'I think it best you married with the county'. (Romeo & Juliet, pg. 101, , v, l. 219) This betrayal by the Nurse left Juliet alone.

She was a wise young woman but it still would have been beneficial for her to have the help of the Nurse. Juliet was left on her own to make some very important decisions. I believe that if the Nurse had been around to help Juliet things may have turned out differently. Juliet had no one to turn to and ask for help. She could not have gone to her parents because they would not have understood. The Nurse was supposed to be one of Juliet's best friends.

Now when it was important for Juliet to have someone there, for her she was betrayed. A servant to Capulet, who is incapable of reading the list of guests, asks for Romeo's assistance. Romeo notices that Rosaline, his lover, is among these names. Benvolio challenges Romeo to compare her with other 'beauties. ' Benvolio predicts, 'Compare her face with some that I shall show, / And I will make thee think thy swan a crow. ' (I, ii, l 86-87) To show his appreciation, the servant asks for Romeo's presence at the ball.

Romeo should have considered the servant's warning; if Romeo occupies the name of Montague, he shall not be permitted. Once at the ball, Romeo is searching for a maiden to substitute the unrequited love of Rosaline. Romeo happens to gaze upon Juliet, who charms Romeo. Romeo proclaims, ' Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! / For ne " er saw true beauty till this night.

' (I, v, l 52-53) Since Romeo declares his love for Juliet, she feels the attraction also. They believe that they are in love and must marry. However, it is a genuine coincidence that Romeo and Juliet were at the same place, at the same time. Some days after the ball, Benvolio and Mercutio are conversing, in regard to the quarrelsome weather. Benvolio declares, 'The day is hot, the Capulets abroad, / And if we meet we shall not 'scape a brawl, / For now these got days is the mad blood stirring. ' ( , i, l 2-4) At this point, Tybalt, who has challenged Romeo because of his appearance at the masquerade, enters, seeking Romeo.

On Romeo's behalf, Mercutio struggles with Tybalt, while Romeo, who is filled with love for his new cousin, tries to end their boldness. Before escaping, Tybalt plunges his sword into Mercutio, causing death to fall upon him. Mercutio blames Romeo and the feud for his fate. Romeo kills Tybalt, who taunts Romeo, upon his return. Romeo fears he will be condemned to death if he does not flee before the arrival of the Prince. Benvolio recalls the events that have happened, with some embellishment.

The Prince declares: And for that offence / Immediately we do exile him hence. / I have an in your hate's proceeding, / My blood for your rude brawls doth lie a-bleeding; / But I'll amerce you with so strong a fine / That you shall repent the loss of mine. / I will be deaf to pleading and excuses; / Nor tears nor prayers shall purchase out abuses; / Therefore use none. Let Romeo hence in haste, / Else, when he's found, that hour is his last. / Bear hence this body and attend our will. / Mercy but murders, pardoning those that kill. ( , i, l 185-195) Due to the disturbance of Verona's street and the losses of Tybalt and Mercutio, the Prince must penalize Romeo.

However, the Prince agrees that Romeo was acting in self defense. Juliet, who desires not to wed Paris, asks for Friar Laurence's assistance. The day before the wedding, Juliet is to drink the poison, which will make her appear to be dead. In forty two hours she shall awake, with Romeo by her side. Romeo will then bring her to Mantua with him. In the meantime Friar Laurence will convey a message to Romeo in Mantua, telling him the plot.

When she gains consciousness, Romeo and Friar Laurence will be there. Friar Laurence says, 'Shall Romeo by my letters know our drift, / And hither shall he come; and he and I / Will watch thy waking' (IV, i, l 114-116) Following Juliet's intake of the poison, Romeo is anticipating news from Verona. Balthasar, a servant to Romeo, tells Romeo that Juliet has passed on. Romeo, who is told there are no letters from the friar, seeks a way to accomplish his suicide.

Meanwhile, Friar Laurence, confronts Friar John, who was to deliver the letter to Romeo. Friar John informs Friar Laurence that he was seeking another Franciscan, who was visiting the sick, to accompany him to Mantua. He says, 'Suspecting that we both were in a house / Where the infectious pestilence did reign, / Seal'd up the doors, and would not let us forth; /' (V, ii, l 9-11) Friar John tells that he could find no one to deliver the letter, for fear they may catch the infection. When considering the destruction of Romeo and Juliet the most significant fact you must think about is fate. Fate, above all, destroyed Romeo and Juliet.

Many instances in the play reveals that the love of Romeo and Juliet would end in death. 'A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life'. (Romeo & Juliet, pg. 2, Prologue, l. 6) From the very beginning it is evident that they were destined by the stars to bad fortune. Some people may think that there is no way to control fate or change what is in the stars. It could be that the love of Romeo and Juliet was destined for death so that their parent's feud would be over.

Also, in the prologue it states that the dreadful course of their love was destined for death. 'The fearful passage of their death marked love'. 9) Both of these quotes show us that the love of these two was destined to end tragically. The masquerade party was above all the most important aspect of fate.

The fact that Romeo was wearing a mask and his face was hidden allowed juliet to fall in love with him before she saw who it was. If Juliet had known who Romeo was she would probably have not fallen in love with him. Fate could not have been changed whatever was meant to be would happen and no one could change that.