Sexual harassment is prohibited by various pieces of legislation. The act of harassment remains unethical and an issue that managers need to deal with effectively. Often these cases are complex and because of its very nature, employees are apprehensive to talk about issues, and to address them.

Another ethical issue is that of hampering an employee’s promotion prospects, or discriminating against them based on gender. This practice is often referred to as the “glass ceiling”.

1.  Read the following excerpt and answer the questions that follow:

Sexual harassment at work

A waitress (Bongi) alleged that the restaurant manager (Thabo) sexually harassed her while working for a hotel over a period of several years. The allegations included touching her breasts, leering and that comments of a sexual nature were made about her body. She stated she had complained to the Food & Beverage Manager (Mark) several times and that the complaints were ignored. She also alleged that as a woman she had been denied promotions offered to less experienced males working in the restaurant. As a result, she resigned.

(Adapted from http://www.adcq.qld.gov.au/Cases/Sexual%20harassment.htm)

1.1  Suppose you were the Food & Beverage Manager at this hotel. How would you deal with the situation? (10 marks)

1.2  As General Manager, what can you do to ensure that sexual harassment is limited or at least controlled? (4 marks)