Die voorkoms van seksuele teistering in die staatsdiens

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:Sexual harassment has different meanings for different individuals. This is clearly evidentfrom the wide variety of definitions that are noted on the theme. Sexual harassment canbe divided into two main categories. Firstly there is quid pro quo harassment which boilsdown to the fact that an agreement must be established between two individuals wheresexual favours are exchanged for more favourable work benefits. The next sexualharassment category is where one individual makes the working environment of the nextindividual intolerable in order to solicit sexual favours.Sexual harassment can be explained using a number of models. These models vary fromthe point of departure that sexual harassment is driven by the individual's sex drive to amodel where the economy has an influence on the individual's behaviour. None of theexisting models, however, fully explain sexual harassment and sexual harassment canbest be explained using a synthesis between various models. These models have theadvantage that a better understanding of the subject exists and could thus ease theprevention and management of sexual harassment in the workplace.Sexual harassment manifests over a wide varitey of actions. A difference can be drawnbetween direct and indirect harassment. Direct harassment could be physical and lead tocharges of sexual assault or rape. Indirect harassment could be where an individualthrough his/her actions causes another individual to feel uncomfortable without the actionbeing directed at that specific individual. It could be that sexually explicit pictures arebeing displayed without the intention to harass but that the mere displaying of the picturesis experienced as harassment by certain individuals.There are various actions leading up to sexual harassment. However, it was found thatsexual harassment is not romantic attention with the view of courting towards a consentinglove affair. Consenting love affairs may also exist in the workplace and although notprohibited by any rule or prescript the affair could end and then transform towards sexualharassment.Sexual harassment was found not to be restricted to one sex only. Although the profiles ofmale and female harassers differ both can present themselves as harassers. Sexualharassment is not restricted to harassing the opposite sex only and man to man andwoman to woman harassment is also found.In the South African Civil Service there are certain acts that regulate sexual harassment.Sexual harassment is, however, not addressed by definition and general deductions mustbe made that could include atcs of sexual harassment. This was tested by contacting avariety of government departments and provincial administrations to gain insight into theirsexual harassment policies. The majortiy of respondents did not have a formal orapproved policy on sexual harassment. The sexual harassment policies that were\analysed revealed certain inadequicies and a scientifically based questionnaire wasdeveloped to determine the prevelance of sexual harassment in the workplace.Normatively speaking certain guidelines or a definition of sexual harassment should existto show which conduct or behaviour can be construed as sexual harassment. Anemployee's complaints procedure should at least contain a mechanism to ensure thatpolicy is not ignored, that alternative methods of reporting sexual harassment are beingcatered for and that adequate training is provided to ensure that all employees are au faitwith the complaints procedure. Confidentiality is a critical element and the employershould try to maintain this throughout the investigation. Investigation officers should havea certain knowledge on the theme of sexual harassment. The appointment of aninvestigation officer should also be sex sensitive. The imposing of sanctions after theinvestigation into complaints of sexual harassment should be done with due cognisance ofthe degree of seriousness of the violation and other mitigating and extenuatingcircumstances.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University