2. Welcome to the Next Level Academy
Welcome to our 2nd module on Sexual Harassment. Here you will learn
about what constitutes sexual harassment, how to prevent sexual
harassment in the workplace as well as how to recognise it. At the end
of this module you should be able to;
• Define what sexual harassment is
• Recognize sexually harassing behaviours and avoid them
• Identify the three main forms of sexual harassment
• Understand how to report any sexual harassment
3. Sexual Harassment in the workplace
• As Simbisa we care about the wellbeing of all our associates and so we take
sexual harassment seriously.
• Sexual harassment can have devastating effects on a person’s physical and
psychological wellbeing.
• Victims of sexual harassment often suffer from some debilitating stress reaction,
including anxiety, depression, headaches, sleep disorders, weight loss or gain,
nausea, lowered self-esteem and sexual dysfunction.
• At work it also leads to low morale, declined productivity, absenteeism, high staff
turnover and even lawsuits.
• Every associate of Simbisa should know how to prevent sexual harassment, how
to recognise it; and how to report it. Our goal is to provide our associates with a
working environment that ensures that they are treated with dignity and respect.
4. What is sexual harassment in the workplace?
• Sexual harassment is defined as one or a series of incidents involving
unsolicited and unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual
favours or any other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
5. Forms of sexual harassment in the workplace
• There are three main forms of sexual harassment, Verbal, Physical
and Written.
• Verbal – involves sexually oriented noises, remarks, jokes or
comments about a person’s sexuality or appearance.
• Physical - includes kissing, patting, hugging, touching, grabbing,
pinching or brushing up against another person.
• Written - is in the form of sexual or discriminating display or
publications anywhere in the workplace for example pictures, posters,
calendars, promotional material or reading material that is sexually
demeaning or pornographic.
6. Forms of sexual harassment in the workplace
These three main forms of sexual harassment can come in the following categories;
1. Uninvited comments, conduct or behaviour regarding sex or sexual
orientation.
• This can be asking sexual questions, such as questions about someone's
sexual history or their sexual orientation or making offensive comments
about someone's sexual orientation or gender identity.
• It also includes making inappropriate sexual gestures, staring in a sexually
suggestive or offensive manner, or whistling, making sexual comments
about appearance, clothing, or body parts.
• It can also be inappropriate touching, including pinching, patting, rubbing,
or purposefully brushing up against another person
7. Forms of sexual harassment in the workplace
These three main forms of sexual harassment can come in the following categories;
2. Repeated requests for sexual favours with a subordinate from a
person in authority.
• This is when a manager uses quid pro quo where they demand or
request for sexual favours in exchange for employment or other job-
related benefits such as promotions and preferred work station or
shifts.
8. Forms of sexual harassment in the workplace
These three main forms of sexual harassment can come in the following categories;
3. Pictorial or actual displays of obscenity, written, verbal and non
verbal communication of a sexual nature which does not contribute to
or advance the work.
• This involves sharing sexually inappropriate images or videos, such as
pornography, with associates or sending suggestive letters, notes, or
e-mails. Displaying inappropriate sexual images or posters in the
workplace or telling crude jokes, or sharing sexual anecdotes.
Spreading rumours about a person’s personal or sex life is also
considered harassment.
9. Forms of sexual harassment in the workplace
These three main forms of sexual harassment can come in the following categories;
4. Any conduct that has the purpose or effect of interfering with an
individual’s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or
offensive work environment and submission to such conduct is either
an implicit or explicit term or condition of employment or submission
or rejection of the conduct is used as the basis of making employment
decisions.
• For example if a person is hired or fired based on sexual favours or
lack thereof; and drafting and implementation of timetables based on
sexual favours or relationships.
10. Reporting sexual harassment
• Victims of sexual harassment often feel that there are many reasons
not to report an incident.
• Simbisa Brands encourages all its associates to report all cases of
sexual harassment.
• All the above forms of sexual harassment are unacceptable and
should be reported.
11. Reporting sexual harassment
If you think you are facing sexual harassment at work:
1. Say “No” Clearly
• Tell the person that his/her behaviour offends you. Firmly refuse all
invitations. If the harassment doesn’t end promptly, ask the harasser to
stop and put it in writing. Keep a copy of this written communication.
2. Write Down What Happened
• As soon as you experience sexual harassment, start writing it down. Write
down dates, places, times, and possible witnesses to what happened. If
possible, ask your associates to write down what they saw or heard,
especially if the same thing is happening to them. Keep pictures, messages,
videos or audios if you have any.
3. Report The Harassment
• If the harassment does not stop, approach the Industrial Relations
Department for remediation of their grievances or refer to the Complaints
Committee which Simbisa Brands has instituted for redressal of sexual
harassment complaints and for ensuring time bound treatment of such
complaints.
12. Confidentiality
• Simbisa Brands understands that it is difficult for the victim to come
forward with a complaint of sexual harassment and recognizes the victim’s
interest in keeping the matter confidential.
• To protect the interests of the victim, the accused person and others who
may report incidents of sexual harassment, confidentiality will be
maintained throughout the investigatory process to the extent practicable
and appropriate under the circumstances.
13. Confidentiality
• The Company is committed to ensuring that no associate who brings
forward a harassment concern is subject to any form of retaliation. Any
retaliation will be subject to disciplinary action.
• It will also ensure that the victim or witnesses are not victimized or
discriminated against while dealing with complaints of sexual harassment.
• However, anyone who abuses the procedure (for example, by maliciously
putting an allegation knowing it to be untrue) will be subject to disciplinary
action.
• The most efficient solution to the problem of sexual harassment is to
prevent it in the first place. Simbisa Brands reiterates its commitment to
providing its associates, a workplace free from harassment or
discrimination and where every associate is treated with dignity, equity and
respect.
14. Section Review
Read and answer the following questions
1. Sexual harassment is not limited to physical contact. It can occur any time that an
individual is uncomfortable with another person’s approaches, comments or
discussions.
• True
• False
2. At Simbisa, sexual harassment should be reported to?
• The police
• The pastor
• Industrial relations department
• Your next of keen
15. Section Review
Read and answer the following questions
3. Sexual Harassment is one or a series of incidents involving unsolicited and __________ sexual
advances, requests for sexual favours or any other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
• Unwarranted
• Obvious
• Unwelcome
• Friendly
4. Sexual harassment may occur with?
• Operations managers
• Shop managers
• Associates
• All of the above
16. Section Review
Read and answer the following questions
5. Incidents of sexual harassment are?
• Published on work platforms
• Sent to all departments on a memo
• Put on the wall in all stores
• Kept confidential to protect the interests of the victim
6. The best way to avoid sexual harassment in the workplace is?
• Allow associates to date each other
• Prevent any behaviour that may lead to sexual harassment
• To hire only males in the stores
• To employ only females in the stores
17. Section Review
Read and answer the following questions
7. Sexual harassment can have__________ effects on a person’s physical and
psychological wellbeing
• Side
• Fantastic
• Devastating
• Traumatic
8. If you think you are being sexually harassed what is the first thing to do?
• Firmly tell the person harassing you that you do not like it
• Report to the complaints committee
• Tell your manager
• Do not come to work
18. Section Review
Read and answer the following questions
9. What are the different forms of sexual harassment?
• Verbal
• Physical
• Written
• All of the above
10. Simbisa ensures that victims or witnesses of sexual harassment are not
victimized or discriminated against.
• True
• False
