For Business & Professional Communications, I did a persuasive PowerPoint presentation on sexual harassment in the work place.

1. Sexual Harassment In The Workplace Sara Surber

2. What is Sexual Harassment? A form of sex discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Examples include but are not limited to: Unwelcome sexual advances Requests for sexual favors Verbal or physical conduct of sexual nature

3. Facts About Harassment According to the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment Commission nearly 12,696 claims of sexual harassment were filed in 2009. From that number 16 percent were filed by males Sources; US. Department of Labor, Equal Opportunity Employment Commission, Workplace Fairness, and the International Labor Organization

4. Why People Remain Silent Confusion Uncertainty Lack of acceptance Difficulty understanding Isolation Disbelief Placement of blame Fear loss of job

5. StatisticsA telephone poll by Louis Harris and Associates on 782 U.S. workers revealed: 31 % of female workers reported they had been harassed at work 7 % of the male workers reported they had been harassed at work 62% of targets took no action 100 % of women were harassed by a man 59% of men were harassed by a woman 41 % of men were harassed by a man

6. StatisticsOf the women harassed: 43 % were harassed by a supervisor 27 % were harassed by an employee senior to them 19 % were harassed by a coworker at their level 8 % were harassed by a junior employee

7. Negative Effects on Companies Decreased work performance Increased absenteeism to avoid harassment Defamation of reputation Financial loss from lawsuits and legal fees

8. Negative Effects on Individuals Retaliation from harasser Being objectified and humiliated Defamation of character Loss of job and income Loss of career

9. AlternativesVictims of harassment can and should: Take back the power ( know your rights and use them) Report incidents Support other victims ( power in numbers)

10. AlternativesCompanies can and should: Implement sexual harassment prevention training programs Enforce a written sexual harassment policy Handle complaints professionally and promptly

11. Benefits to Companies Saving millions of dollars in lawsuits Protecting overall reputation Increasing work productivity Maintaining safe work environment

12. Summary Victims who fail to take action encourage further harassment to themselves and others. Employers should take these claims seriously and enforce their own policies. If individuals and institutions address and handle these situations appropriately, I believe the number of sexual harassment claims filed each year would gradually decrease.