The effectiveness of the Code of Good Practice in handling the occurrences of sexual harassment in a selected South African Higher Education Institution.
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Date
2016
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Abstract
The study, which examined the effectiveness of the Code of Good Practice in handling sexual
harassment in the selected higher education institution (mI), had three main objectives: to
ascertain the main provisions of the Code of Good Practice in handling sexual harassment,
determine the level of awareness among staff of the existence of the Code of Good Practice
and to understand how the policy deals with preventing the occurrence of sexual harassment
in the HEI. Participants in the study included male and female academic and support staff of
the HEI. Interviews were conducted with senior human resource managers and a
questionnaire was distributed to the other staff. Thematic analysis was used in analysing
participants' understanding and knowledge of the Code of Good Practice in handling of
sexual harassment. It was found that participants had little knowledge of the role of the Code
of Good Practice in handling sexual harassment. Many felt that training programmes should
be implemented to enable them to gain knowledge and awareness of their rights regarding
sexual harassment in the workplace. Further, the study revealed why sexual harassment is an
issue in the workplace; information concerning the Code communicated to staff is
inadequate. Based on the study, recommendations were made to initiate interventions aimed
at minimising the incidence of sexual harassment at the FIEI. These include: training and
educational programmes for staff, distribution of the Code of Good Practice to all employees,
formulation of a clear policy on sexual harassment that is proactive and has preventative
measures and the issuing by the IIEI of a zero tolerance policy statement on sexual
harassment.
Description
Master of Commerce in Administration. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2016.
Keywords
Sexual harassment - SA., Sexual harassment in Universities and Colleges - SA., Sexual harassment - SA - Prevention., Theses - Public Administration.