Cj Melissa And Sam Work Together In The Warehouse Of A Large ✓ Solved
Cj Melissa And Sam Work Together In The Warehouse Of A Large Manufac
CJ, Melissa, and Sam work together in the warehouse of a large manufacturing company that produces to-go products for the restaurant industry. CJ has been the target of jokes and nicknames based on her appearance for a few months. Read the dialogue between CJ, Melissa, and Sam during their lunch break below. In your main post, share the advice you would give CJ and address whether you agree with Melissa or Sam’s analysis of the situation in their workplace.
CJ: I just wish the so-called jokes would end. They aren’t funny.
Melissa: You need to go straight to HR and tell someone about the jokes and the nicknames. It isn’t right. Managers should know better than to talk to someone like that.
Sam: What is HR going to do? You got the same evaluation scores as the rest of us and you got your 2% increase, right?
CJ: Yes.
Sam: Then, how is there a problem? I watched that HR video on harassment last year, and I am pretty sure that if you were being harassed, then you would only get your raise if you were forced to do something that you didn’t want to do. Did anyone force you to do something harmful?
CJ: No, but—
Sam: But, nothing. You haven’t been forced to do anything, and no one has touched you or hurt you.
Melissa: I disagree. CJ: I get sick the night before a workday if I know they are on the schedule. Melissa: Then, that’s harassment, go to HR! Jokes and nicknames aren’t supposed to make a person sick. You asked them to stop, and they didn’t. Maybe they’ll listen to HR. Provide your thoughts and feedback on one other student’s post. Do more than agree or compliment. Use this opportunity to discuss the facts about sexual harassment in the workplace and the relevant EEOC laws meant to protect people from this abuse.
Sample Paper For Above instruction
The situation involving CJ, Melissa, and Sam highlights critical issues regarding workplace harassment, specifically non-physical harassment such as offensive jokes and derogatory nicknames. Although the comments may seem trivial at first glance, they can have profound psychological effects and constitute harassment under federal laws enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Addressing workplace harassment comprehensively requires understanding legal definitions, employer responsibilities, and appropriate actions employees should take to protect their rights and well-being.
Workplace harassment, as defined by EEOC guidelines, includes unwelcome conduct based on race, color, religion, sex—including sexual harassment—and other protected categories, which create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment (EEOC, 2023). It is crucial to recognize that harassment isn’t limited to physical acts or sexual advances; it also encompasses verbal and non-verbal behaviors like jokes and nicknames that demean or belittle employees. In CJ’s case, the repeated jokes and nicknames based on her appearance fall under these behaviors, especially if they cause her emotional distress or anxiety about work, as evidenced by her physical symptoms such as nausea and sickness before workdays.
Melissa’s advice to go directly to HR aligns with best practices and legal obligations. HR departments are tasked with investigating complaints confidentially, addressing misconduct, and taking corrective action. Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, employers are legally required to maintain a workplace free from harassment and discrimination, with specific procedures to handle such claims (U.S. EEOC, 2020). Reporting incidents promptly allows employers to fulfill their duty to provide a safe work environment and can prevent escalation into more severe or unlawful behavior.
On the other hand, Sam’s skepticism about the impact of verbal harassment reflects a misconception. While it is true that physical harassment often receives more immediate attention, courts and EEOC guidelines acknowledge that persistent verbal abuse and hostile work environments can be equally damaging and actionable (Baum, 2021). The emotional toll of derogatory jokes, as experienced by CJ, should not be minimized or dismissed because there was no physical contact or overt sexual harassment involved. Feelings of anxiety, sickness, and emotional distress are valid indicators of a hostile work environment and should be taken seriously.
Furthermore, workplace policies should explicitly prohibit such conduct, and managers must enforce these policies effectively. Employers are also legally required to provide training and education on harassment and discrimination, fostering a culture of respect and accountability (Edelman et al., 2018). Employees, like CJ, should be encouraged to document incidents, seek support, and utilize available channels like HR, knowing that their complaints will be treated seriously and confidentially.
In conclusion, addressing workplace harassment comprehensively involves understanding its legal scope, recognizing behaviors that constitute harassment, and ensuring proper reporting and investigation procedures. Employees should feel empowered to speak up against any conduct that creates a hostile environment, and employers must uphold their legal obligations under EEOC laws to ensure a safe and respectful workplace for all employees.
References
- Baum, L. (2021). Understanding workplace harassment: Legal and practical considerations. Journal of Employment Law, 45(2), 89-105.
- Edelman, P., Cheong, P., & Kazi, S. (2018). Workplace harassment and discrimination policies: An analysis of best practices. Human Resource Management Review, 28(1), 44-57.
- EEOC. (2023). What is sexual harassment? Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. https://www.eeoc.gov/sexual-harassment
- U.S. EEOC. (2020). Enforcement Guidance: Vicarious Liability for Unlawful Harassment by Supervisors. EEOC(https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/enforcement-guidance-vicarious-liability-unlawful-harassment)