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A 2007 phone survey by Boston consultant Novations Group reported hearing more "sexually inappropriate" comments at work. "Inappropriate sexual remarks might go up from year to year", observed Novations CEO and president Mike Hyter. "But the big jump is hard to explain unless it's also a matter of reporting, . . . ".

The Boston workplace isn't getting more sexually inappropriate; the fact is more people are revealing inappropriate comments/behavior due to the positive effects of sexual harassment prevention programs. Everyone is aware of what isn't appropriate office communication and they aren't ashamed of revealing inappropriate remarks to management. It's a fact that better educated employees are less likely to hear ridicule among coworkers.

Sexually inappropriate communication is triggered by many different things and often jealousy plays a part. Some employees are so threatened by a new employee addition to the department, they will undermine the worker with inappropriate slurs . . . sometimes racial, sexual or age discriminatory in nature. Behind these inappropriate remarks is an insecure employee whose quality of work and productivity is usually less than favorable - and they are fully aware of their shortfalls. The insecure are protecting their turf and certainly don't wish for new talent to be recognized as quality. Department reorganizations are common among new management trying to make their mark as they climb the corporate ladder. Employees know where they rank in department performance and no one wants to be on the bottom of the scale.

Management has a big responsibility to abide by the company's harassment prevention program and should they neglect to identify the jealousy factor which so often threatens workplace relations, workplace productivity will be threatened, and credibility as a manger is at stake too.

Successful management runs a department on a budget - motivating employees and improving morale. Recognizing a link between a healthy work environment and improved business results is a key ingredient needed for successful management. Inappropriate slurs among employees, if not recognized by management, will ultimately undermine productivity and create much unrest and strife . . . leading to possible legal ramifications. Fortunately, through sexual harassment prevention programs, more people are identifying inappropriate communications and reporting them and they are being dealt with swiftly.

Learn more about this author, Deborah Goulekas.
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