276 sexual harassment cases at workplace reported since 1999

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KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Negara was told today that 276 cases of sexual harassment at the workplace were reported over the past 10 years.

This followed the introduction of the Code of Practice for the Prevention and Eradication of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace on Aug 17, 1999.

"Of the total, 271 cases have been resolved, while investigations on the rest were ongoing," Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Maznah Mazlan said in reply to Senator Loga Chitra here today.

She said there were five forms of sexual harassment, namely verbal, signs, physical, visual and psychological.

"Those convicted of committing sexual harassment in the verbal or visual form could be punished under Section 509 of the Penal Code which carries a jail term not exceeding five years, or fine, or both," she said.

Those who committed physical forms of sexual harrasment could be charged under Section 354 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum jail term of 10 years or fine or both, added Maznah. - Bernama

Url: http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/20091215185753/Article/index_html


As an employer, you have a responsibility to maintain a workplace that is free of sexual harassment. This is your legal obligation, but it also makes good business sense. If you allow sexual harassment to flourish in your workplace, you will pay a high price in terms of poor employee morale, low productivity, and lawsuits.

There are ways to prevent if you do not let urself sit idle. here are some steps to prevent:

Step 1 Verbally warn the person and warn them if they falter again you will report them.

Step 2 Report the incident. No matter what, you must report any incident of sexual harassment. Simply write down a brief synopsis of what happened, and make sure to submit it to your boss and the proper other channels at your workplace.

Step 3 Find the help you need. You can search resource and information from the internet to help you. You do need to take the first step and research and contact these organizations in order to get the help you need.

Step 4 Take action. There are plenty of things that you can do to stop it and make sure your every one realize how serious you are about defending yourself.

http://www.ehow.com/how_2178593_stop-sexual-harassment-work.html