The Human Resources Department at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) held a virtual full day workshop on Harassment, Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Bullying Education on Microsoft Teams on Friday, 14 August 2020.   

The main speaker was the Human Resources and Training Manager, Dasheni Emmanuel who unpacked Sexual Harassment, GBV and Bullying in the workplace.  

Her aim was to alert the DUT staff about some of their rights and responsibilities when dealing with such issues in the workplace.   

“During this training, I will provide you all with insight on how you actually become better performers. It will help you with employees reporting to you. Every one of us will face this at some point. It is about you and how you gain knowledge. Harassment, bullying and gender based violence all tie up and speak to the employment equity and the code of good practise,” said Emmanuel.   

In her discussion on Sexual Harassment, Emmanuel looked at what the law says, how to handle sexual harassment cases in the workplace, effects of sexual harassment on the victim, how do sexual harassment perpetrators operate and what is the role of the employer.

She said the definition of Sexual Harassment is unwelcome verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature that is severe and affects the working conditions or creates a hostile work environment.   

“How often do we say hey sexy or hello handsome at work. This may also be regarded as sexual harassment. No massaging or rubbing your colleagues head in the workplace, it is also inappropriate and can get you into trouble,” said Emmanuel.  

Emmanuel revealed that not only employees can be victims of sexual harassment in the work environment.   

A victim or perpetrator of sexual harassment also includes job applicants, clients, suppliers and contractors. 

Some staff are said to be also victims of Pro Quo Harassment which occurs when a person influences a promotion of increase by forcing the employee to surrender to sexual advances.  

A formal procedure is followed once the matter is reported to the employer and it needs to be dealt with as soon as possible.  

Emmanuel gave a list of items that employees can utilise to identify sexual harassment.  

• Inappropriate touching of a person’s body or clothing.  
• Requesting sexual favours or dates. 
• Threatening you for rejecting or refusing sexual favours.  
• Making sexual-based jokes or innuendos.  
• Commenting on your clothing, relationships or body with a lewd intent.  
• Derogatory expressions, gestures and filthy language.  
• Stalking, sexual assault and touching you without your consent.  

Such incidents create a hostile working environment and may cause the victim to suffer from stress and anxiety.  

Focusing on GBV, she (Emmanuel) said it is sad that some women end up being attacked or killed in their workplace due to the relationship problems.  

She said such course is to clarify DUT does not support GBV and anyone caught will be dealt with accordingly.  

Moving on to bullying, Emmanuel said it its big and it also happens at work.  

“We got to look at the impact of bullying on an individual and organisation, who are the bullies and how do you recognise them, how to stop and prevent bullying in the workplace,” said Emmanuel. 

She described bullying as the activity of repeated, aggressive behaviour intended to hurt another individual physically, mentally or emotionally.  

Just like sexual harassment, Emmanuel said bullying has the potential to cause harm to the victim mentally, physically and may also affect job performance. 

Five ways that Emmanuel pointed out to help the victim heal consists of: Making your health a priority, find emotional support and validation, educate yourself about workplace bullying, change how you view the experience and find closure and a new beginning. 

She applauded DUT for organising this course and said it shows that DUT is taking a stance that it will not tolerate sexual harassment, GBV and bullying.

Victims were encouraged to speak up and report such incidents to their line managers or human resources department to ensure that they are in a safe environment.   

Pictured: Participants in the virtual full day course on Harassment, Gender Based Violence and Bullying Education in the workplace.  

Simangele Zuma