Impact of Sexual Harassment at Workplace:a Case of the United Nations in Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of sexual harassment at the workplace a case study of the United Nations office, Nairobi. The objectives were to establish the impact of sexual harassment in the UN, explore effective ways of handling sexual harassment at the workplace, determine the reasons why sexual harassment cases were reported to the media and the various coping mechanisms adopted by the victims of sexual harassment. Marxist theory was used in the study as it brings out the different economic status of people in a society, where some people are economically poor, and others rich. In the workplace, employees have different levels or hierarchy and at times perpetrators may use force and sexually harass the vulnerable employees by using their powers at their high levels to get what they wanted. The study used descriptive design that employed self-administered questionnaires, interviews to UN staff and focus group discussions. The findings indicated that most employees failed to report cases of sexual harassment for fear of losing their jobs as some perpetrators were senior managers who were also involved in the decision making. There were employees who even preferred keeping quiet and prayed to wish the problem away, while other employees coped to sexual harassment by ignoring the perpetrators. Twenty employees indicated that they feared the negative consequences after reporting cases of sexual harassment that they might experience thereafter. Eight respondents indicated that they did not believe that their complaints would be taken seriously. Very few respondents indicated that they contacted a staff counselor or manager for support. The researcher recommended for an external body to be considered in addressing any sexual harassment case(s) in the United Nations which would eliminate fear from the employees. Suggestion boxes to be introduced where staff would be encouraged to use them in case there were cases on sexual harassment at workplace. It was further recommended that, the opening and analysis from the suggestion boxes to be handled by an independent body who would make recommendations to senior management.