When workplace harassment complaints become public, other people within the organization are likely to make judgments about the nature of the complaints or of the potential victims. Although some employees might believe that the problems are systemic and affect many people, others might deny there is a problem, downplay the veracity of the complaints, or condemn the alleged victims.
These divergent views made for an interesting theme in this case study research. Of interest, the initial public hype focused heavily on the narrative of women as victims of sexual harassment and men as abusers. However, the data suggested that bullying and gender-based harassment were more prominent forms of abusive behaviour with both men and women identifying as victims. Also, the nature of harassment extended beyond sex or gender to race and ability.
Click on the link below to listen to this chapter in the story or scroll down to red and/or listen to the different voices of people from the organization.
I've had 15 years in this outfit and overall, I have....
I’ve had 15 years in this outfit and overall, I have experienced harassment, bullying and vindictive treatment. I’ve been lied to and treated like I am not worth the time and effort. There have been good times, too, but they are harder to remember due to the level of negativity I’ve experienced. I would not encourage anyone to join. If at any time you become less than able, you become dirt to be swept under the rug.
I have been sexually assaulted, bullied, and....
I have been sexually assaulted, bullied, and disrespected at some points in my service. At other times I have very much enjoyed my work, work environment and co-workers. I am disappointed with many of the things that have happened to me and my coworkers. I am appalled at the organization’s complete inability to handle situations. I am appalled that the response has been to try to discredit employees who complain. How can that many people be making this stuff up?
I was a victim of harassment in this org....
I was a victim of harassment in this organization. I had 7 years of service when the harassment started, and it lasted for a few years. I now have 17 years in the organization and I’m very sad and angry about how my supposed career ended up. Lack of promotion and opportunity as well as my own lack of confidence and other personal issues I’ve had to overcome. It is truly sad and very disappointing. I am thankful for the opportunity to finally say something.
Harassment issues are taken to ridiculous....
Harassment issues are taken to ridiculous level where people don’t want to say anything anymore. This leads to a drab and boring work environment where moral sits at an all-time low. What happened to dealing with issues as they happen and with the person who is the issue or grow some thicker skin and jump in on the joke.
There is no systemic problem with harassment....
There is no systemic problem with harassment in the force! But because public opinion says there is, the force cowers to this and spends so much time and effort focussing on this and not the real issues. A handful of people making accusations of harassment in an organization this big and over several decades… Some of the accusations have made are not indicative of a “problem” with which we have to go changing everything. When will the force have the backbone to stand up to these types of accusations?!!