Sexual Harassment in Healthcare: Issues, Impact and Prevention Measures

Running head: HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN HEALTHCARE
SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN HEALTHCARE
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SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN HEALTHCARE1
Introduction
There should be efficient management in the healthcare organisation or hospitals to
deliver high-quality care towards the community along with the individuals. Human resource
managers should manage the safety of the employees. It will deliver efficient performance in
solving the critical issues that occur in the healthcare organisation. The rise in the incidence
of sexual harassment in the healthcare sector is generating more concern in restricting
healthcare professionals to deliver their duty. An unwelcome sexual nature or sexual
advances are referred to as sexual harassment. Any inappropriate sexual behaviour or favours
are the types of actions that come under sexual harassment. It is very crucial for the
management of healthcare facilities to incorporate effective guidelines along with policies to
prevent sexual harassment within the facilities. Therefore, every employee or worker of the
healthcare facility should know such guidelines and regulations that lead to strict action
against sexual harassment. This paper intends to examine the issues due to sexual harassment
in nursing professionals and gives the guidelines to prevent sexual harassment.
Guiding Standard
The healthcare leaders or human resource management should implement standards
on preventing sexual harassment that may occur within the healthcare settings or facilities.
There should be basic guidelines or standards that need to be implemented in the healthcare
organisation (berkeley.edu, 2020).
 Developing a safe working environment in the healthcare organisation
 Recruiting along with keeping the finest employee or worker by providing a
harassment-free workplace
 Facilitate employees or workers to work in a motivating along with a creative
environment

SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN HEALTHCARE2
Definition of Sexual Harassment
The definition of sexual harassment under the civil right is covering two different
aspects. The first type covered Quid pro quo and the second type is a hostile working
environment. Under the first category of sexual harassment, it includes the unwelcome
behaviour or contact along with any sexual requests or favour. In some scenario, any conduct
of unwelcome behavioural that implied on employment is also under sexual harassment. The
second category of sexual harassment covers a wider aspect of parameters that includes
unwelcome behaviour along with non-verbal, psychological or any physical sexual nature. If
any individuals hear or observe any sexual nature of sexual abuse that is affecting or
interfering the ability to perform their task or job, often leads to a hostile working
environment.
Types of Sexual Harassment
The sexual harassment can cause in any workplace irrespective to any industry.
However, healthcare industry is more vulnerable towards the incidences of sexual
harassment. According to Lockwood (2019), there are different types of sexual harassment
that are listed below.
 Verbal
The verbal sexual harassment includes sexual favours or request, any
inappropriate jokes, offensive remarks or spreading any sexual rumour of the
individual.
 Non-verbal
The non-verbal sexual harassment includes making any sexual gestures such
as any hand signals. More such illustration can be giving any inappropriate
looks, blocking the pathway or following the individual.