There’s an interesting piece this week at Workforce Management on men being sexually harassed, and how most companies turn a blind eye. It’s worth your time to register (for free) at the site and read the article.

In my work as a management coach I’ve dealt with a lot of private issues among managers and leaders, and I can testify that sexual harassment against males is much more prevalent than one might suspect. The article states that 20 percent of all sexual harassment claims are from men, but I’d say the actual percentage is much higher—it just doesn’t get reported.

Why isn’t it reported? There’s a twisted logic floating out there that most men succumb to. I’ve heard these “reasons” more than I care to remember, and most of them sound like this:

a) Men have been doing it to women for years, so they’re just getting pay back.
b) If a man gets bothered by it, he’s not “man enough” to take it.

Both of these “reasons” are manipulating and twisted, and have no place in a rational discourse.

Let’s start with the first one, an argument that is totally lame. Anyone subscribing to it is saying that two wrongs make a right. Using this as an excuse to harass men is stereotyping all men though history and then being the judge and jury by taking out the frustration of it all on ONE man. Anyone pushing or subscribing to this type of logic is operating with a feeble mind.

The second “reason” justifying harassment against men is passive-aggressive to the hilt, and anyone who baits people in such a manner (or subscribes to such logic) is not “adult enough” to earn any respect.

Just as women are instructed to say “this behavior is unacceptable” in a calm and professional manner, men should also respond to the above “reasons” using a calm and professional voice. In addition to saying the behavior is unprofessional and unacceptable, they might also consider “naming the game,” and calling the irrationality for what it is.

To not respect someone simply because of the person’s gender is sexist (and shows a great lack of maturity). To taunt someone and then say they’re not big enough to take it is equally immature. Here are a couple of words for anyone, male or female, who would practice or advocate harassment: Grow up.

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Filed in Management, Workplace, Corporate Culture, Coaching, Office Romance