A quick wink to a colleague, a light touch on the arm, perhaps even a rude joke. It might seem harmless, but these days such actions can land employees in trouble. And it isn't just men. As Christmas workplace parties get into swing, experts are warning women to watch their behavior after discovering an alarming number of sexual harassment cases being brought by men. Deakin University Professor of Psychology Marita McCabe said the mere existence of sexual harassment cases brought by men was surprising and attributed the increase to the rising number of female bosses.
More women are in the position of power and are becoming the predator.
Professor McCabe, who recently conducted a study of sexual harassment cases in Victoria, said people were much less likely to tolerate behavior that was previously seen as being part of the workplace. Equal Opportunity Commission chief executive Diane Sisley said it was important that employees understood the signals of colleagues and knew when to stop. She said many people did not realise the impact their actions could have on colleagues. Two years ago the Federal Court found in favor of a homosexual man who said he was forced to leave his job as a cook at Bethesda Hospital in Richmond because his supervisor constantly referred to him in derogatory terms. Dr Sisley said most sexual harassment cases dealt with by the EOC involved inappropriate verbal comment or touching, but many were part of harassment that extended over a period of time.