The Pinoy Employee’s Guide to Survival in the Workplace

Sexual banter is normal among people and we Pinoys are especially well-versed in green jokes, suggestive statements and double entendres.  However, there is a limit to everything, especially in the workplace. 

As an employee, you are protected against sexual harassment from co-workers, visitors and yes, even your boss, no matter how high his/her rank is in the organization.  So just because YOU are protected doesn’t mean others aren’t.  If you’re incredibly careless and tactless about the way words leave your tongue or the way you deal with others physically, you could be on the receiving end of a sexual harassment charge. 

Getting slapped by a sexual harassment claim can be very embarrassing and troublesome, depending on the seriousness of the situation.  It could brand you for a really long time, get you kicked out of a good job, ruin your relationships with your colleagues and superiors and even cause trouble in your family.

Let’s clear up a few things about sexual harassment:

#1, the perception of sexual harassment can be relative.  To some people, someone coming up to them and saying, ‘Ang sexy mo naman.’ may not mean anything at all, but to some, it may sound offensive.  So it doesn’t only matter how you say it but also to whom you say it.

#2, some people are really plain palabiro but that doesn’t mean other people should just grin and bear it.  Some people can take their jokes too far, including you.  Just because you’re a self-confessed jokester doesn’t give you the right to drop a dirty punchline now and again to every unsuspecting co-worker.

#3, some people can’t help looking good and many of them might even go through certain pains just to achieve a certain look.  However, their bodies are nobody’s business, including yours.  If you think they’re sexy/appealing/hot, go ahead and look – but shut your piehole and don’t touch.

#4, there are still people who are very sensitive when it comes to the subject of sex.  It could be their upbringing, their environment, personal values or maybe even their religious affiliation.  Whatever it is, it’s something that will affect how well they can take a sexually-tinged joke or statement.

#5, the kind of office culture or environment you work in will also factor in the complaint.  Some offices are very strict and businesslike while others allow certain employee behaviors.

What happens if you do get charged with sexual harassment?
That really depends on the next step that the person you have ‘offended’ will take.  They could:

a) Talk to you in private and ask you to stop.
b) Avoid you like the plague and don’t speak to you directly.
c) Talk about you behind your back.
d) Go to your supervisor/manager to complain.
e) Go to their supervisor/manager to complain.
f) Go directly to HR to complain.

If an investigation follows, you could expect to either receive a formal invitation through a notice regarding the complaint or be asked for a personal meeting with the complainant, their witnesses and the HR head.  In some cases, particularly during the second phase of the complaint process, your higher ups will be involved.

So what’s the punishment like in case the sexual harassment case against you is proven?  That would depend on the severity of the offense and on the company policies that are already in place.  You could:

- get an oral reprimand
- get suspended
- get fired

And what about privacy issues regarding the complaint?  When it comes to HR, you could rely on these people to keep the details of the case confidential.  But don’t count on something like a sexual harassment complaint staying under the office radar for so long.  Word could get out (if it hasn’t already) and it could spread like wildfire. 

So how do you protect yourself from sexual harassment claims?  Click on this link for some tips.