Hospitality Industry Sexual Harassment Training
Issues of Sexual Harassment in the Hospitality Sector
People may believe sexual attempts and innuendo are the usual because of the sex-laden atmosphere surrounding pubs, restaurants, hotels, and nightclubs. The industry is characterized by irregular hours, a concentration on the service of alcoholic drinks, intimate closeness to customers, and an emphasis on physical beauty.
The majority of the workforce is made of young individuals, many of whom are susceptible to engaging in risky behaviors such as drinking or using illegal substances, working long and unusual hours, and socializing with others who have similar levels of commitment.
In addition to the culture that exists inside the organization, they contribute to the issues that exist across the sector by mandating that employees dress in a certain manner or wear a specific uniform. Click here for more information on appropriate attire. Different places have different expectations for appropriate attire, which may range from “business casual” to “shorts and t-shirts” to “formal dress” or even “tuxedos.”
Customers who overstep their boundaries at a restaurant or bar might leave personnel feeling vulnerable and unsupported because of an overall theme of “customer service” amid an environment of fun, delicious food, music, booze, and scantily dressed staff. It is up to you, as the owner or operator of the business, to choose which of the beasts you wish to feed.
Does your company’s dress code or approach to service promote or enable workers or customers to engage in conduct that is undesirable? It is reasonable to expect and demand that workers in any field be treated fairly and with respect, and if you are the owner or operator of a business, it is your responsibility to establish this as the norm.
Any sort of sexual harassment, misbehavior, or illegal activity should be a deal-breaker for any employee or client. This includes sexual harassment in any other form.
What exactly does “sexual harassment” mean?
In general, sexual harassment is defined as any persistent and/or repetitive conduct of unwelcome sexual remarks, jokes, approaches, explicit sexual talks or insinuation, touching (assaults), or an implicit belief that sexual misconduct must be accepted in order to keep a job or avoid unfavorable employment action.
As an employer, you have a responsibility to be aware that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Civil Rights Act of 1964 – Wikipedia) recognizes sexual harassment as a type of discrimination that is shielded from liability. At least in the United States, this is the case.
It may seem to be a lot of legalese, but as the proprietor or manager of a company in the hospitality sector, it is your responsibility to take it seriously. You have a responsibility to provide a secure setting for all of your workers and visitors, and you may be held vicariously accountable for any instances of sexual harassment that take place in the workplace that you manage.
To define the term “sexual harassment” in its most basic form, we may say that it refers to any unwanted sexual behavior that results in another person feeling insulted, scared, embarrassed, or intimidated.
There are 2 sorts of sexual harassment:
The phrase “this for that” refers to a quid pro quo. An employer as well as supervisor making unwelcome sexual approaches on a worker while implying or firmly stating that the worker must deliver some kind of sexual favor in exchange for some advantage of employment is the most blatant form of harassment that may be committed.
The advantages of having a job could include:
- Threat to continuing employment
- financial risk (like lack of shifts)
- Lack of promotions/demotions
- having a negative performance review leading to termination from employment
A harsh work atmosphere. This occurs when an individual believes that the atmosphere in which they are employed is either insulting, uncomfortable, or discriminating. A hostile workplace must be shown if the harassing action is either:
- a) “sexual” means either
- b) oriented at a certain gender or genders.
The behavior must also be undesirable and either regular or recurrent for it to qualify.
What Exactly Does Harassment of a Sexual Nature Look Like?
Many individuals, when presented with the “definition” of sexual harassment during sexual harassment training, will deny ever having been a victim of sexual harassment or having perpetrated a case of sexual harassment.
This denial will continue until they are presented with real-world instances, such as the following:
- statements that are obscene, crude, or provocative;
- the cornering of another person;
- the presentation of pictures that are sexually charged;
- the display of pornography; tolerating or condoning any of the acts listed above.
Hazardous Environment Ahead
A poll of three hundred people working in hospitality found that 86 percent of respondents felt uncomfortable or at danger while on the job, and almost half of those polled believe that their employers do not take sexual misconduct seriously.
I have worked at a lot of places that have had to have classes on this, so everyone knows what is and isn’t ok. It is kind of sad that people have to be taught, but I am still glad that companies make it a priority.
yes!! people are too forgiving when it comes to harassment, its great to spread information like this
This is an excellent post on sexual harrasment thank you for the information