W omen have gone from being viewed as desperate housewives to key players in the corporate world. In this competitive world women have to become experts at being on top of their game to prove that they are equal if not more qualified than men. At the same time they must maintain a certain level of professionalism and stand firm in demanding the respect they deserve. Still the questions arises: Do men view women as their peers in the workplace and are they taken seriously?
It has been an ongoing situation for centuries. Women just don’t receive the same consideration at the office as men do. With all of the degrading songs and music videos that screams out sex, there’s no wonder why men have the notion that women are just sex symbols, which some men want to take advantage of.
Most recently the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace was raised during the trial of Anucha Browne Sanders vs. Isiah Thomas & MSG. According to Sanders, a former executive at MSG, Knicks head coach Thomas made unwanted advances and her complaints went unnoticed for a year. “Thomas created a hostile workplace rife with unwanted advances,” said Sander in an interview with ABC News. She also accused him of making her uncomfortable with hugs, invitations to leave the office for tryst and kisses on the cheek. It wasn’t until she continued to complain that she was fired. After getting fired she brought the case to court and got the justice she deserved.
For her hardship working at MSG, a jury awarded Sanders $11.6 million. To encourage women in a similar situation Sanders stated, “The only way you make change is by being there, being silent never makes change, so speak up.”
Alicia Webb has endured similar treatment while working in corporate America.”I got hit on at work plenty of times. There was one incident where one of my male co-workers touched my behind. I was asked out to dinner and another male co-worker even tried to kiss me.” Ultimately, Webb felt compelled to find another job.
Even though Ms. Webb did the right thing by going to her boss many women do not know what to do in situations like this. “I think that any woman who fights for her respect and her rights opens the door for women every where,” says Webb. “Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose but you will never know until you try. You have the right to feel secure at your job, not scared and violated.”
