Sexual harassment stands as a vexing issue. Its complexities are often overlooked amidst legal wrangling and societal debate.
Legal theorist MacKinnon’s seminal work lamented the absence of systematic studies on sexual harassment, a gap slowly filled by multidisciplinary research efforts in subsequent years. Yet, amidst these inquiries, one notable absence is the conceptualisation of sexual harassment through an ethical lens despite its clear moral dimensions.
Ethical decision-making involves recognising the potential harm one’s actions may inflict on others and choosing a path aligned with legal and moral standards. When viewed through this prism, the perpetration of sexual harassment emerges as a moral dilemma wherein individuals must confront the choice between harmful behaviour and ethical conduct.
Moreover, the organisational response to sexual harassment plays a crucial role in shaping the ethical landscape. Policies, procedures, and disciplinary systems can either reinforce ethical norms or perpetuate a culture of impunity. In the eyes of the law, sexual harassment constitutes illegal discrimination, a stance underscored by legal precedents and guidelines.
Yet, despite legal recognition, sexual harassment often evades immediate consequences, its effects unfolding over time. This temporal disconnect grants perpetrators a moral “out,” allowing them to distance their actions from their repercussions.
The perceived similarity between actors and targets also influences the moral intensity of sexual harassment. Psychological, cultural, and social similarities foster empathy and recognition of the ethical implications of one’s behaviour. Conversely, perceived dissimilarities may lead to moral exclusion, blinding individuals to the moral dimensions of their actions.
Another factor shaping the moral calculus of sexual harassment is the concentration of responsibility. When the consequences of misconduct are diffuse or attributed to external factors, actors may downplay the moral gravity of their actions, diminishing their sense of accountability.
Understanding sexual harassment as an ethical issue reframes prevention efforts, moving beyond mere legal compliance to foster a culture of shared values and ethical aspirations. Training programmes rooted in ethics aim to elevate moral consciousness, highlight the broader societal impact of harassment, and encourage proactive intervention.
The ethical framework offers a nuanced perspective on sexual harassment, shedding light on the moral complexities inherent in this pervasive phenomenon. By recognising the moral dimensions of harassment and addressing its root causes, we move closer to creating workplaces where ethical conduct is mandated by law and embraced as a fundamental principle of human dignity and respect.