Sexual Harassment: A Guide

By Janice Castro

Susan Webb's new book, Step Forward, (MasterMedia; $9.95) will not hit the stores for another week or so, but already her publisher is fielding a dozen requests a day for bulk orders. Among the eager buyers: Heublein, Bristol- Myers and Avon. The first book about sexual harassment published since the Thomas hearings, Webb's book is refreshingly free of ideology and reproach. A longtime human-relations expert and specialist on this subject, Webb wrote Step Forward at breakneck speed, sending in a chapter a day.

The result is an accessible sort of Cliffs Notes guide to the topic that will have special appeal for managers concerned about this stubborn workplace plague, especially now that litigation is raising the ante of ignorance. But harassers and victims -- as well as the great mass of confused bystanders -- will also find it informative. Crisp and logical, Webb's book explains what sexual harassment is, how to recognize it, how to know if you're doing it and how to eliminate the problem at work if necessary.

Sexual harassment remains a loaded topic that can rupture friendships and plunge victims into self-doubt. Many people don't understand what it is. Certainly men and women viewing the same incident often disagree on whether anything untoward -- not to mention illegal -- has occurred. Is it ordinary flirtation? Is it old-fashioned earthy humor between friends of opposite sex? No, says Webb. Most men do not sexually harass their co-workers. Those who do are engaging in a power trip that plays on sex; work-related strings are | attached. Says she: "It's really not difficult to understand. You just have to stop and think about it."

Organizing Step Forward somewhat like a classroom workbook, Webb comes across more like a friendly high school teacher than a corporate consultant, lacing her account with anecdotes and case studies. Examples:

1) You and your boss are single and like each other a lot. You invite him to dinner, and one thing leads to another. Was someone sexually harassed? (No -- though it wasn't very smart.)

2) Your boss invites you to a restaurant for dinner and -- much to your surprise -- spends the evening flirting with you. Just before inviting you to her house for a nightcap, she mentions that promotion you are hoping to get. (You are being sexually harassed. Whether or not you welcome her interest in you, she has implied a connection between the promotion and your response.)

Think this doesn't go on where you work? Two-thirds of the men in a Harvard Business Review study said reports of sexual harassment at work are greatly exaggerated. But surveys have shown that 90% of FORTUNE 500 companies have dealt with sexual-harassment complaints, and nearly 25% have been sued repeatedly. More than half of U.S. women executives say they have suffered the abuse. And it is hardly an American problem. Sexual harassment at work was reported by 70% of Japanese women in one study and by nearly 50% of the women in a survey of several European countries. Not to mention the 15% of men who have been hassled by co-workers of both sexes. Webb reports that absenteeism, lost productivity and turnover caused by harassment are costing large companies an average of $282.53 per employee per year. Solution: knock it off. It pays.