Sexual harassment at work in the Arab world
- By: Qwaider
- On:Monday, July 10, 2006 10:04:18 AM
- In:Thoughts
- Viewed: (17389) times
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Not a single day passes by without me hearing about things that go by at work in Jordan that would make your hair go gray!
In the US, there are very strict sexual harassment laws at work. In fact, the place I work we take sexual harassment training every single year. Just to make sure managers are not harassing their employees. Employees are not harassing their colleagues
On the other hand, everyday, I hear horror stories of secretaries getting sexual advances by their managers. And with grave results if they resisted. Including but not limited to getting fired.
Women have been at many times forced to accept a manager who would call them into their office and in a quick move force his arm up their skirt or blouse. Some have bravely resisted. Some have even fought back. But many remain silent on the fear for their jobs in an economy ridden with unemployment.
Many have decided to just drop everything and forget totally about finding a decent job. While others have swung all the way and took advantage of the situation for material gains. Occasionally getting married to the abuser, but on several occasions keeping their silence, and crying internally alone.
The other problem is that a woman doesn't have anyone to resort to. If she talks to her family, it might end up in an honor killing of herself or the person who harassed her.
If she goes to the police, She's risking a scandal and a ruined reputation. Such a hard issue indeed
The only way I see out of this I see is to have really strict laws governing conduct at work. If someone is involved in sexual harassment of a co-worker. Some action needs to be taken. A comprehensive and neutral investigation needs to be conducted and justice should take it's place. Even if the owner of the business is involved in such acts
Few years ago, a colleague was telling me about this tape he watched of Secretaries applying for jobs where they get fondled by the owners without them being able to say anything. Some were even crying ins silence but in need for a job so much that they tried to resit without being too aggressive. Only one of the 10 left promptly.
This is such a sad subject to talk about. How did our society stoop so low. And what can each and every one of us do about it? Remember that lady can be your sister, mother daughter or your wife.
To help better understand harassment, I'll start by stating what qualifies as harassment as stated by the US Equal opportunity commission:
The victim as well as the harasser may be a woman or a man. The victim does not have to be of the opposite sex.
The harasser can be the victim's supervisor, an agent of the employer, a supervisor in another area, a co-worker, or a non-employee.
The victim does not have to be the person harassed but could be anyone affected by the offensive conduct.
Unlawful sexual harassment may occur without economic injury to or discharge of the victim.
The harasser's conduct must be unwelcome
People need to know it's NOT OK, it's NOT acceptable. And that you WILL pursue action if a behavior continues. You can try to resolve it informally at the beginning. But if that doesn't work. Seek help.
The worst thing you can do is to shut up! Don't allow anyone to bully you around. Not your manager, not your employee, not your employer nor your customer
Fadi: الله يرحمها و يجعل مثواها بعليين و يجمعك معها بالجنة بعد عمر طويل
بلوجر بالعربي: looks very good
Noura: Different home, but same longing and nostalgia .. it seems we are chasing a mirage , Beirut of my dreams does not exist nor the people i miss .. i don't know if my gains were worth the losses ? I 
price waves repeat: The other day, while I was at work, my sister stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive a 25 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now broken 
Sara: You can say that again!God Bless🕊
ياسمين حميد: كما هي طبيعتنا نحن العرب، عند الانتقال بين منصة وأخرى لا نحتفظ بالأولى بل نتركها ونهجرها. الأمور عندنا خاضعة ل
Qwaider: These possessions are meaningless as you said, but it's still painful to let go :( May Allah grant you all you wish for and unite you with your loved ones
Nicolas: The rapid increase in intelligence within this generation is responsible for completely unforeseen phenomena that academicians are not prepared for.Some of these classic TV shows remained 
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Ahmed-
malak-
Red Rose-
The Observer-
Moey-
السلام-
Nizar-
hatem abunimeh-
Maioush-
SweetAdmin-
Fadi:الله يرحمها و يجعل مثواها بعليين و يجمعك معها بالجنة بعد عم%
بلوجر بالعربي:looks very good
Noura:Different home, but same longing and nostalgia .. it seems we are chasing a mirage , Beirut of my dreams does not exist nor the people i miss .. i don't know if my gains were worth the losses ? I
price waves repeat:The other day, while I was at work, my sister stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive a 25 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now broken
Sara:You can say that again!God Bless🕊
ياسمين حميد:كما هي طبيعتنا نحن العرب، عند الانتقال بين منصة وأخرى لا نحت%
Qwaider:These possessions are meaningless as you said, but it's still painful to let go :( May Allah grant you all you wish for and unite you with your loved ones
Session=
Memories....
Some managers take advantage of the employee's need for work and abuse them in the worst ways .. remember that this abuse is not limited to sexual harrassment .. the pressure can be financial, social, sexual .. you name it .. these kinds of people are never out of dirty tricks and filthy hidden agendas ..
Women should stand up for themselves and don't accept such treatment and/or advances ... believe me that such offenders are usually cowards and when the woman stands up for herself and sets him straight, he will back off
If she happens to lose her job in the process .. betsakkar 3endoh bab .. w 3end Allah 100 bab .. She will be better off working for someone who is more respectable and she will respect herself more ..
Before speaking of rules and regulations, every org should have a code of conduct for these cases, if not orgs rules then the work ethics should govern, unfortunately all the above are disrespected when the superior is sick and a user.
I often hear of friends who go for interviews and say, hey, it's creapy and fishy and I don't wanna' work there. Feel your atmosphere before signing in.
Your peace of mind and safety is more imp than a filthy job that includes moral/sexual harrasment.
I remember having a course called Organizationl Ethics, if nothing that course made us all aware of the rights that every employee has where ever he is.
Know your rights.
This is such an important subject. You really have a nose for the good stuff.
You know the problem is that we don't have such lows in Jordan (I think) and the employees don't even know their legal rights, in regards to their contract, let alone moral and human rights.
I would bet that if we asked female at work places, do define sexual harassment their definition, will be about actual touching. But would not include the use of profanities, looks and suggestive moves.
I have a friend that has been harassed by her boss, and when she reported it to HR. no action was taken at all. And mind you she works for a very reputable establishment.
Makes me very happy I work for a foreign organization
PS: would not mind at all if you all pass by my humble blog : )
you know what's the soloution eyad??
TO knock him with the head in his guts!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*i'm bold today so i'm telling my experience regarding this matter!!
o.k..deep breath....
after graduation i decided to be totally independant and stop taking money from my dad..btw..i never lived with him..so that ment cutting the living!!
back then i wasn't veiled..not that it has anything to do with it..my first inter view: the gm..stared and recieted poems for 20 min. why??i have no idea..then took out some pictures of girls wanting the same position who looked some how like me..they were big pictures..he enlarged the small ones pinned to the applications!!!!
my seconed interview: ( becuase i wouldn't work for the first after choosing only me from the pics)
it was a position in dubai..and there were about 15 boys and girls before me waiting to be interviewd..the manager came out for something then looked at me then called me in..the nasty looks chocked me..the day after he called to ask me for another interview in a hotel room!!
that left me crying for two days..ofcoures i wouldn't go and kissed the amazing position goodbye..
third interview: started working in an internet company..again..the gm came too close while showing me a paper..took my bag and slammed his door..and never went back to work ..for anyone..
i like being my own boss..even if i end up pennyless..
the heck with it!!
Unfortunately, not all women are as lucky as you are :(
As for my sweet sis The caller im sorry for what you mentined above,sorry for any black point that has its place inside you,Glad you are strong as you are im just proud of you
leave you in peace
I've heard of many a case of this kind of harrassment at the workplace. unfortunately they were all women. The advances and all.
I consider we are somewhat fortunate that organizations are starting to have very detailed ways and methods of dealing with this behavior, from where I have worked. But the majority still need a lot more... Addressing the issue is the first step.. the step you have just taken..
what??you think i went to my dad's money after this??
nope!!didn't..i can humbly say that allah blessed me with a rock instead of brains..
i did small jobs on my own..law stuff...home made food...retailed clothes..till things got a little bit better..thank allah..and now i am pleased for being mid.class than i ever was in that "a" class pawn!!
ppl are going through hard times these days ... bank loans, bills. children schools.. things not getting any easy i doubt that any female will standup against an abuser, specially if hes her boss. also dont forget how easy lies and rumors can be made around females ..
The caller, What I meant was that you were lucky enough to have had the guts and the alternatives to leave
TheYukuza, awesome to see a Yakuza here. Thanks for the nice comment :)
Sarah, Usually these people might be married, and if the lady makes some noise about the issue. Maybe his wife will "Trabbeeh" wouldn't that be a good punishment?
I always hear about such stories and I say el7mdllah that I have never been in this before.
ye2ta3 leflos eza bedha tkhally bent te2bal bhek wad3 ..
Allah mawjood ya jama3a w ma be2ta3 7d, rabna akrm bekteer min kl takhaiolatna.
He is aggressive, manipulative, married, a pathetic excuse for a man, a coward, displays serious psychopathic behaviour and uses his position of power to threaten and blackmail the love of my life. Trying to ruin her emotionally, mentally and physically. A muslim he calls himself??? Hardly! He stalks her, interferes with our life and her personal time. He best becareful as Im losing my patience and will not remain silent for much longer.