Sexual Harassment, II

 
 
 

Vocabulary

beside	land a job	graduate (2)
seem	colleague	implement
victim	behavior	soon enough
wonder	personal	complement
blame	apparent	uncomfortable (2)
anti	issue (2)	discrimination
aim	catch on	branch (2)
employ	trade (3)	trade union
protect	right (4)	a long way to go
rule (2)	relatively	catch/caught/caught
area (3)	right after	introduce (2)
council	push (2)	handle (2)
afraid	speak out	inappropriate
touch	overjoyed	try/tried/tried
knee	crazy (2)	all over (2)
bully	represent	appropriate
accuse	ashamed	representative
role (2)	helpless	pick it up (3)
confide	leave (2)	leave of absence
quit	in person	certificate
let go	absence

 
 
 
 

Video: Sexual Harassment, II

 
 
 
 

Transcript

Communications graduate, Katja Nedoma was overjoyed when she landed a top job right after college. Her colleagues seemed nice, as did her boss.

But soon enough, his behavior changed.

She’s asked not to be shown on camera.

Katja Nedoma, Victim of Sexual Harassment: “He began complementing me. He’d say things like ‘You look really great. Who are you dressing like that for? Is it for your boyfriend or you husband? Are you married?’ They were really personal questions.”

His boss would call her into his office several times a day, often for no apparent reason. He would always close the door.

She felt increasingly uncomfortable, and wondered if she herself was to blame.

Last year, Germany introduced tougher sexual assault laws. Anti-discrimination rules aim to protect women from sexual harassment in the workplace.

Trade unions have welcomed such moves. Many large companies now employ women’s representatives.

But there’s still a long way to go.

Alexa Wolfstadter, Trade Union Representative: “In smaller companies and individual branches, the issue hasn’t really caught on yet. In that area, relatively little has been done.

Of course it is harder to implement things when there is no works council pushing for it. That’s definitely a problem when it comes to handling this issue.”

Many women, including Katja Nedoma, are too afraid to report inappropriate behavior.

Katja Nedoma, Victim of Sexual Harassment: “He used to try to get me to sit beside him. After some time, he started touching me: first my arm, then my knee.

The crazy thing was that he had photographs of his wife and kids all over his office.”

Erika Schreiber has represented many women who have been sexually harassed at work. She understands why many of them choose not to speak out.

Erika Schreiber, Women’s Rights Lawyer: “Many are afraid that they would be bullied, that they would be accused of lying. Some women feel ashamed of what has happened. Often they feel helpless.

That plays a big role.

And some of them fear they will be let go.

Katja Kedoma took a leave of absence after confiding in a doctor and a friend.

Then she quit her job.

She hasn’t returned to the office since. She’s still waiting to get her employment certificate. Her boss wants her to pick it up in person.
 

 

Questions

1. Katja attitude and outlook has changed dramatically. True or false? Why has Katja’s life changed?

2. Her boss only discussed projects and work with her. Is this right or wrong?

3. What are the laws in Germany regarding sexual harassment?

4. Is there a difference between large and small companies in enforcing of the rules? Which is better at combating discrimination?

5. All women immediately report sexual misconduct to the police. Is this correct or incorrect? Why are many women reluctant?

6. Katja’s boss was looking for a girlfriend and eventually a wife. Yes or no? What might have been his aim?

7. Did Katja sue her boss and company? What happened in the end?
 
 
A. Is sexual harassment a problem in your company, organization or society? Is it very serious problem, a major problem, somewhat of a problem, not a serious problem, it’s a minor problem, or it’s not a problem at all?

B. Do you think sexual harassment is worse in some countries than in others?

C. Males and females see sexual harassment differently. Yes or no?

D. Have things changed over the years?

E. What will happen in the future?

F. What some solutions to sexual harassment?