Foxy

Thank-you for having the courage to articulate the difference between acceptable and unacceptable behaviour.

To clarify further, you listed a range of unacceptable behaviour, some of which (1,2,3,4,7 &8) may not be judged negatively in all situations. If rules are going to work, they need to be clear and unambiguous. You also said;

"Sexual harassment is any unwanted or
unwelcome sexual behaviour in the workplace
...it has nothing
to do with mutual attraction"

Is "unwanted" the key word in that phrase?

If so, how can one know which actions are unwanted, before one does them?

Some women disguise their true feelings about this behaviour, for a variety of reasons. Is it relevant whether or not the harasser was given cues about whether or not the other person enjoyed the attention? told to stop?

I dislike the Mark McGuinesses of this world as much as you. Lets make the rules very clear and workable and stop these pricks.

Dear benk,

Yes, "unwanted" is the key.
And I think that if people tell the harasser
to stop their behaviour, and that they're
not interested - is should be enough.
Most people know deep down which line is not
to be crossed - it's only a small minority
that doesn't. That's why workplaces nowadays
are looking into having policies that clearly
set out the guide- lines for what's inappropriate
behaviour in the workplace. Educating and training
the staff also goes a long way towards trying to get rid
of this problem.

There's nothing in that list about sniffing chairs.

Also, what about inappropriate dress? Why aren't plunging necklines and tea towels worn as skirts considered sexual harassment?

3) Sending sexually explicit emails or text messages.
6) Insults or taunts of a sexual nature.

Man, There's so many women I know guilty of sexual harassment it's not funny.

*Also, what about inappropriate dress? Why aren't plunging necklines and tea towels worn as skirts considered sexual harassment?*

4) Indecent exposure.

It is up to the employee to ask their colleague or senior to dress appropriately, or the boss to establish the dress code. The breech in the request is considered to be a form of sexual harassment.
Unfortunately for some people, the simplest notion of appropriate behavior needs to be spelled out and drawn diagrammatically in crayon.

pelican, "I have worked in the public sector and the private sector and only encountered real flirts a handful of times."

How would you define a 'real flirt'? Is this 'real' flirting?

http://www.ehow.com/how_2314551_flirt-manager.html

This is what Eric Berne had to say about flirting,

http://www.ericberne.com/games/games_people_play_rapo.htm

Flirting at work is not professional behaviour. It is tolerated to an extent at junior levels, but that is not saying it is encouraged. It is widespread and a common complaint of women regarding their women colleagues in particular, but men also complain and not only when an unexpected complaint is made about them.

When it comes down to the wire, why should a company be expected to pay compensation and damages for behaviour that is not approved? Why should I have to provide special instructions to say that I do not approve of sexual harassment or discrimination in the workplace when there is already a statement warning employees not to bring the business into disrepute through their behaviour?

Employees have the same access to public information and laws as I do and probably better in some cases. It is ridiculously unfair that I could be obliged to provide specific directions in these cases and special training.

My response and that of many business people is to:

first, be proactive in reducing possible risks; and

secondly, comply with the requirements of government in this area (instructions, training, monitoring), but it is resented as an area where I am forced to be my brother's (and sister's) keeper and the extra administrative overheads, including increased insurance premiums, are reluctantly passed on in full to consumers.

Houellebecq mentioned dress and yes, most businesses try to encourage a standard of dress and presentation that is appropriate to the work and work area. Who wants employees to bare flesh when the product/service is what is being sold. Again it is about an employee being professional and not bringing the company into disrespect.

Dear Cornflower,

I fully agree with what you say.
And, most companies do have guidelines
for their employees - as to dress-codes
and behaviour while at work. They also
have Human Resources Departments where
complaints can be lodged. (Whether they're
acted upon is a different matter).

What's interesting about the Fraser-Kirk
case and David Jones - is that complaints
were lodged (both verbal and written) to
Senior Management - by not only Kristy
Fraser Kirk - but other staff members
as well - however, they were ignored.

It will be interesting to see how all this pans out.