Sexual harassment at the workplace: how organizations can pro-actively reduce its incidence

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the role of human resources in organizations in preventing sexual harassment (SH) at the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper explains how SH is detrimental to the organization and why creating awareness about SH is essential for both men and women in the organization.

Findings

Findings show how organizations can pro-actively prevent the incidence of SH by creating a zero tolerance for SH in organizations with top management commitment and the formulation and enforcement of a policy against SH.

Originality/value

The paper creates a case for proactive preventive measures such as sensitization, policy formulation and enforcement to combat SH in organizations rather than pursuing a reactive approach.

Citation

Malhotra, S. and Srivastava, A. (2016), "Sexual harassment at the workplace: how organizations can pro-actively reduce its incidence", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 24 No. 7, pp. 1-3. https://doi.org/10.1108/HRMID-05-2016-0072