Factor influencing sexual harassment in the malaysian workplace Essay Example
Factor influencing sexual harassment in the malaysian workplace Essay Example

Factor influencing sexual harassment in the malaysian workplace Essay Example

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Sexual harassment is a widespread issue globally, even in countries like Malaysia in both Western and Asian regions. In Malaysia, sexual harassment is particularly prevalent within the workplace, with male colleagues specifically targeting female employees. Multiple articles, reports, and news stories have shed light on the high occurrence of sexual harassment against women in the workforce. Additionally, there has been an increase in the number of women joining traditionally male-dominated fields such as engineering, medicine, and management since 2000. As more women enter various industries, it becomes crucial for management and policymakers to address the problem of sexual harassment.

In 1999, the Malaysian authorities introduced the Code of Practice on the Prevention and Eradication of Sexual Harassment to address the increasing severity of sexual harassment towards female workers. To provide guidelines for prevention, workshop

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s were conducted. The Ministry of Human Resources later implemented amendments and guidelines, including a mandate for sexual harassment officers to investigate all allegations in accordance with the Employment Act 1955.

Guidelines have been issued to address the issue of sexual harassment in the civil service, with the aim of providing support for victims and consequences for wrongdoers. It is crucial to establish a work environment that is free from harassment to prevent negative effects on morale, productivity, and overall work quality for female employees. Numerous studies indicate that both men and women can be victims of sexual harassment, with men often engaging in harassing behavior while women are usually targeted. Although this problem has persisted for decades, research began in the late 1970s and current studies focus on examining its impact on organizations and individuals. Research findings show that women in lower positions

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experience more instances of harassment compared to those in higher positions, leading them to make excuses or even take time off work to avoid such torment.

The emotional stress endured by victims can impact their motivation, work effectiveness, and household relationships. In terms of human attraction and behavior, males often display stronger and more aggressive sexual desires in comparison to females. Hence, instances of sexual harassment in the workplace can be viewed as an extension of human sexuality.

Moreover, men holding positions of power tend to exploit this authority when engaging with women, particularly considering that women generally possess less power and control within the workplace. The framework for comprehending sexual harassment in Malaysia encompasses four factors - societal cultural, organizational, individual causes - offering a more inclusive and accurate comprehension. This entails considering Malaysia's primary ethnic groups (Malay, Chinese, Indian) alongside other Malaysian employees.

The level of sensitivity towards sexual harassment among women can differ. In professional environments, women may encounter instances of sexual harassment due to their physical appearance and clothing preferences. However, these choices are influenced by the cultural and religious backgrounds of Malays and non-Malays. Malays usually wear a 'tudung' (headscarf) along with a long dress, whereas non-Malays often opt for Westernized fashion.

Various factors influence engaging in sexual harassment, including sex ratio, sexist attitudes, and available workspace. The motivation for harassment is crucial as the victim can incentivize the harasser. Furthermore, if the harasser finds the victim physically appealing, it may intensify their desire to act upon them. Additionally, female workers are often subjected to unwelcome sexual attention by male co-workers.

Research suggests that female workers deemed more attractive have a greater risk of experiencing

sexual harassment than those considered less attractive. Overcoming internal barriers against engaging in harassment is another factor involved.

The morality and understanding of the harasser is crucial in this aspect because if a harasser does not feel that their actions toward the victim are sympathetic, wrong, and immoral, it will increase instances of sexual harassment. Therefore, female workers may experience offensive jokes and unwanted sexual attention from the behavior of the harasser. Overcoming external inhibitions against harassment is the third factor. Consequently, there are five working environments that could contribute to sexual harassment. For instance, workplace privacy is often an issue because incidents that occur in private spaces cannot be witnessed by outsiders. The hypothesis suggests that females working in open workspaces have a lower chance of encountering sexual harassment compared to those working in private workspaces.

It is crucial for female workers to have an understanding of grievance processes in order to voice their concerns regarding harassment. By implementing such a system, we can both punish harassers and prevent future instances of harassment. Sexist attitudes present a significant problem, particularly when it comes to sexual harassment cases. Female colleagues often face objectification from male colleagues who view them as mere objects of desire based on how they dress provocatively. Furthermore, an unprofessional workplace exposes employees to inappropriate behavior, alcohol consumption, lack of respect between peers, and non-work related activities. This creates an environment that encourages sexual harassment. Studies suggest that women working in professional settings experience less sexual harassment compared to those working in unprofessional environments where serious incidents are more common. This difference may be due to the unequal gender ratio with a higher number

of male workers than female.

The hypothesis suggests that if male workers work more than female workers, the chances of females experiencing sexual harassment are higher in comparison to when there is a balanced ratio of male and female workers. The victim's ability to resist victimization is also influenced by their occupational position and gender roles. According to the hypothesis, females in lower positions with less power are more susceptible to encountering sexual harassment compared to those in higher positions within an organization. Women who refuse or resist may encounter threats from male employees in senior positions. Sexual harassment in the Malaysian workplace can be attributed to various known factors, and this hypothesis has proven to be quite accurate.

The root cause of sexual harassment lies in the working environment, which includes factors such as the lack of professionalism, male chauvinism, and inappropriate attire of female workers. These factors hinder the progress of the company by negatively impacting relationships between employees, team spirit, and cooperation.

Besides the fact that it creates an imbalance of power between male and female workers, there needs to be an organization that recognizes the risk and harm faced by female workers and implements regulations. Examples of these regulations include mandating appropriate dress for females, providing open office spaces for women, and promoting a culture of respect among workers.

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This has given me a deeper understanding of sexual harassment in social psychology and has increased my respect for women. The severity of sexual harassment in the workplace in Malaysia threatens the moral values and quality of life for women. Additionally, women who experience it also suffer mentally.

In summary, it is better to deal with problems

beforehand rather than trying to solve them later. Hypothesis involves stating a statement and investigating the cause and effect relationship. For instance, individuals who smoke tobacco have a shorter lifespan compared to non-smokers because of the harmful effects of smoke on health. A journal presents proof that women who dress in an attractive manner are more prone to sexual harassment compared to those who dress less attractively. Ultimately, the dependent variable is how females choose their clothing, while the independent variable is incidents of sexual harassment.

This diary examines the self-fulfilling prophecy in the context of sexual harassment. The self-fulfilling prophecy is when one's perception and treatment of someone determines whether their initial perception comes true or not. For example, if you see a man as kind and treat him accordingly, he will likely reciprocate with kindness, thus confirming your initial judgment. However, this diary explores the idea that if a man assumes that an attractively dressed woman is open-minded and easily manipulated, he may engage in inappropriate sexual behavior towards her. These hypothetical situations and theories are all connected to social psychology as they involve the interaction between societal culture and human behavior.

This assignment is incredibly ambitious and encourages me to think outside of the box.

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