Abstract
M.A.
Sexual harassment has become a human resource issue in the workplace within South African companies. More cases of sexual harassment are coming before the courts as civil actions, as employees litigate against employers who fail to deal with cases where they have reported being sexually harassed and the employer has not taken action or failed to take appropriate action. Arising from the above it would appear that there is a need to develop a clearer understanding of what is meant by sexual harassment. Coupled to this is a need to develop appropriate policies and training programmes to ensure that the negative impact of sexual harassment is limited. These policies should be in line with other company policies and South African Labour Law (66 of 1995) as set out in the Code of Good Practice (1998) on handling sexual harassment.
The aim of this research was to look at the perceptions of employees in a business unit of a Public Utility, and to determine their view of sexual harassment in the workplace. This research would then assist to determine what the best practices would be to deal with cases of sexual harassment as well as to ensure that as far as is practical cases of sexual harassment could be limited, based on these perceptions.
The research indicated that any form of inappropriate sexual behaviour in the workplace as it related to physical, verbal and non-verbal contact was not acceptable to most employees. It showed that whilst sexually inappropriate behaviour was limited it did take place, but in doing so it raised additional questions that could be the subject of further research.
The questionnaire that was developed was found to be a reliable measurement instrument for the most part.
The findings showed that there were differences between the perceptions of English-and Afrikaans-speaking employees as well as male and female employees. These differences would have to be taken into consideration when policies and training programmes are developed. It was clear from the research that a policy was necessary and the employees needed greater clarity on how cases of sexual harassment should be reported.
The research has formed a base from which further research could be conducted, at other South African companies, regarding the impact of sexual harassment in the workplace.
Dr.W. Roestenburg