Page 205 - Becoming a Successful Manager

196 BUILDING ON YOUR FOUNDATION

the ongoing debate among lawmakers regarding pornography. One
of the more memorable quotes to come out of those debates is, “I
can’t defi ne it, but I know it when I see it.” Harassment, likewise, is
an elusive presence that keeps the courts full and human resources

departments busy. Dictionary definitions of the term include phrases
such as “to trouble by repeated attacks”; “to continually disturb”;
and “to torment, pester, badger, or vex.” These defi nitions suggest
that harassers victimize their targets by repeatedly violating their pri-
vacy and invading their space. This may include invasion in their
virtual space through e-mails and messages or their physical personal
space. Even when they’re asked or told not to do whatever they’re
doing, harassers disregard such requests.
Everyone is entitled to privacy and space without having to
justify it or earn it. As a manager, you must assure everyone in
your department that you will not tolerate harassment. To back
up this assurance, you must handle the problem if it arises. You do
this by fi rst being aware of it and then acting appropriately. Let’s
begin by looking at two examples.

Example 1: Off-Color Jokes

One of your employees, Jana, has made it clear to fellow staff mem-
bers that she is offended by off-color jokes. Joel, another person in
your department, gets a kick out of telling or sending such jokes.
He seems to gain particular pleasure from seeking out Jana to
recite his newest gag. Although she has pleaded with him to stop,
he continues to ignore her request. In fact, the more offended she
becomes, the more he does it.

Example 2: Unwelcome Contact

Melvin and Harriet are co-workers in your department. Although
Harriet persists in joining Melvin at the lunch table every day,