Diversity in workplace
Stamp
bsm315_posh.pdf
1
Introduction Screen
Narrator: As part of the committee for the prevention of sexual harassment, you have been asked to investigate a case involving a new intern from the project team and her boss. The intern, Joanna, has not directly approached you. The case has been reported by a co- worker, Jenna, who is also part of the project team. The committee comprising Sarah, Ashley, and you must debate and discuss and arrive at a conclusion.
Scene 1
Conversation between you and Jenna
You: Jenna, you are here to complain about Mike harassing Joanna. Would you please tell us what exactly happened?
Jenna: Joanna is interning with Mike’s team. Last week Mike sent her an email on her official email ID, asking her to go out to dinner with him.
You: How did you know of this?
Jenna: Our names are spelt nearly the same and Mike mixed up our email IDs. The email that was meant for Joanna ended up in my inbox.
You: How do you know it was not meant for you?
Jenna: When Mike realized his mistake, he walked up to me and apologized. He requested me to delete the email and not discuss the incident with anybody.
Narrator: Is this a case of sexual harassment?
A. Yes
B. No
C. Can’t be sure
If your answer is option A, go to Scene 2
If your answer is option B, go to Scene 3
If your answer is option C, go to Scene 4
Scene 2
Conversation between you, Ashley, and Sarah
You: This looks like a case of sexual harassment to me. What do you think?
Ashley: Wait a minute! How do you know there was no consent?
Sarah: I agree. Asking a colleague out for dinner is not sexual harassment.
Narrator: Continue the investigation, go to Scene 5
Scene 3
Conversation between you, Ashley, and Sarah
2
You: I don’t think this is a case of sexual harassment at all. What is wrong in asking a colleague out for dinner?
Sarah: Nothing wrong at all as long as both parties have consented to it.
Ashley: That’s correct! We must investigate if Joanna had agreed to go out with Mike.
Narrator: Continue the investigation, go to Scene 5
Scene 4
Conversation between you and Sarah
You: I don’t think we have enough evidence that this is a case of sexual harassment. What if Joanna had consented to go out on a dinner date with Mike?
Sarah: Absolutely! We need to dig deeper here.
Narrator: Continue the investigation, go to Scene 5
Scene 5
Conversation between you, Jenna, Ashley, and Sarah
You: Jenna, asking someone out for a date is not a case of sexual harassment.
Jenna: Joanna refused to go out with Mike.
Ashley: Oh! So that rules out the sexual harassment angle entirely.
Sarah: Not quite! We need to see if Mike continued to pursue Jenna or pressurize her in any way.
Narrator: Who do you think is correct?
A. Ashley
B. Sarah
If your answer is option A, go to Scene 6
If your answer is option B, go to Scene 7
Scene 6
Conversation between you and Sarah
You: I agree with you, Ashley. Joanna refused to go out with Mike. That settles it, doesn’t it? There obviously was no sexual harassment.
Sarah: But we still need to see if Mike continued to pursue Joanna or pressurize her in any way. We definitely need to continue the investigation.
Narrator: Continue the investigation, go to Scene 8
Scene 7
Conversation between you and Sarah
You: You are right, Sarah. We need to see if Mike continued to pursue Joanna or pressurize her in any way.
3
Sarah: That’s right! If he did, then we would have a very strong case of sexual harassment.
Narrator: Continue the investigation, go to Scene 8
Scene 8
Conversation between you, Jenna, Ashley, and Sarah
You: Jenna, since you have made this complaint, would you know if Mike pursued or pressurized Joanna in any way to go out with him?
Jenna: Yes. Mike called Joanna to his office, presumably to discuss the project, and made his proposition again.
You: How do you know this?
Jenna: Joanna told me. She was deeply disturbed by what had happened and wanted to confide in someone.
Ashley: Wait a minute. I’m trying to remember something. Didn’t you fallout with Mike earlier on some issue, Jenna?
Sarah: How does that matter in this case, Ashley? It is now clear to me that Mike was persistent in his harassment.
Narrator: What should you do?
A. Investigate what Ashley is saying.
B. Agree with Sarah and focus on the present case.
If your answer is option A, go to Scene 9
If your answer is option B, go to Scene 10
Scene 9
Conversation between you and Ashley
You: What Ashley is talking about may be important, Sarah. We need to be absolutely sure that there is no prejudice in this case. What were you talking about, Ashley?
Ashley: I don’t know much about this, but I distinctly remember that Mike had complained to the HR about Jenna’s unplanned leaves when she was working with him. Is that correct, Jenna?
Narrator: What should you do?
A. Investigate the earlier case between Mike and Jenna to get to the truth.
B. Summon Mike to the investigation.
If your answer is option A, go to Scene 11
If your answer is option B, go to Scene 12
Scene 10
Conversation between you, Ashley, and Sarah
You: Ashley, I have to agree with Sarah, here. Jenna and Mike might have had fallouts in the past, but we can’t really go into that. We have only been asked to look into this case.
4
Ashley: I just wanted to make sure that Jenna’s complaint is not the result of some personal grudge. A sexual harassment allegation is a serious one and we need to make sure that we are covering all angles.
Sarah: I’m afraid that investigation will take us off track on this one. I think we should summon Mike and move ahead.
Narrator: Summon Mike to the investigation, go to Scene 12
Scene 11
Conversation between you, Jenna, and Sarah
You: Did Mike complain to the HR regarding your unplanned leaves when you were working with him earlier?
Jenna: How does that make a difference here?
Sarah: Jenna, we just want to make sure that your complaint is not the result of some personal grudge. A sexual harassment allegation is a serious one and we need to make sure that we are covering all angles.
Jenna: Yes, he did complain about my unplanned leaves. My father wasn’t keeping well and I had to take him to the emergency on several occasions when I was working with Mike. He simply didn’t understand my problem.
Narrator: Summon Mike to the investigation, go to Scene 12
Scene 12
Conversation between you, Mike, Ashley, and Sarah
You: Mike, what do you have to say about this case?
Mike: Oh c’mon! I just asked a colleague out for a date. Is that such a big deal?
Ashley: It is if that colleague has said no and you have persisted in pursuing her.
Mike: How do you know that I pursued her? I backed off when she said no the first time. It’s Jenna that’s making a big fuss over this, isn’t it? Do you know that she has a personal grudge against me?
Sarah: Didn’t you proposition Joanna again when you met her in your office to discuss the project?
Mike: No, I didn’t. Did Joanna tell you this?
Ashley: No. She told someone else who told us.
Mike: So, it is simply “someone’s” word against mine isn’t it?
Ashley: In the absence of concrete evidence, it looks like we are pitting Jenna’s word against Mike’s. This case will not hold.
Sarah: Wait a minute! We haven’t spoken to Joanna at all. She must tell her side of the story.
Narrator: What should you do?
A. Ashley is right. This case won’t hold.
B. Sarah is right. You must talk to Joanna.
5
If your answer is option A, go to Scene 13
If your answer is option B, go to Scene 14
Scene 13
Conversation between you, Ashley, and Sarah
You: I think you are right, Ashley. There is no concrete evidence against Mike. We should drop this case.
Sarah: I disagree. We haven’t given Joanna a chance to tell her side of the story.
Ashley: But she wasn’t even the one that complained in the first place. How do you know that she even has one?
Sarah: In many cases, people are afraid to come out with their stories of sexual harassment. Jenna did tell us that Joanna confided how Mike has been pursuing her. Let’s quiz Joanna about that.
Narrator: Summon Joanna to the investigation, go to scene 14
Scene 14
Conversation between you, Joanna, and Ashley
You: Joanna, what do you have to say about this case?
Joanna: I never complained. I don’t have anything to say. Could I just get back to work?
Ashley: Joanna, we must investigate this case. It is best that you cooperate.
Joanna: I’m sorry I don’t have a complaint. I want to work here in peace. Could you please just leave me alone?
Narrator: What should you do?
A. Respect Joanna’s wishes and end the case.
B. Joanna could be under some pressure. Gently pursue the investigation.
If your answer is option A, go to Scene 15
If your answer is option B, go to Scene 16
Scene 15
Conversation between you, Joanna, and Sarah
You: Ok, Joanna. If that’s what you want, then so be it. We’ll close this investigation.
Sarah: May I talk to you for a minute, Joanna?
Joanna: Sure! Go ahead.
Narrator: Gently pursue the investigation, go to scene 16
6
Scene 16
Conversation between you, Joanna, Ashley, and Sarah
Sarah: Joanna, we only want to help you. I know that you didn’t complain, but someone else did on your behalf. That someone probably has your best interests in mind.
Joanna: This job is very important to me, Sarah. I really don’t want to pursue this case and jeopardize my prospects here.
Sarah: Are you under pressure of any sorts? We can assure you that your job will not be under threat simply because you cooperated with us on the investigation.
Ashley: On the other hand, if you let this go, you may end up encouraging more such instances of sexual harassment. Potential perpetrators may think of you as an easy target that won’t fight them.
Joanna: I don’t know what to say.
You: I think you should just tell us the truth.
Joanna: Ok.
Narrator: Question Joanna, go to scene 17
Scene 17
Conversation between you, Joanna, and Ashley
You: Did Mike send you an email asking you out on a dinner date?
Joanna: No. He asked me directly. I learned later that he had sent me an email, but it had ended up in Jenna’s inbox by mistake.
You: Did you accept his proposal?
Joanna: No.
Ashley: Did he ask you, again?
Joanna: Yes. He called me to his office to discuss the project and he asked me, again. I refused once more.
Narrator: What should you do?
A. File your report on the case, pronouncing Mike guilty of sexual harassment.
B. Check why Joanna had not approached the committee for Prevention of sexual harassment directly.
If your answer is option A, go to Scene 18
If your answer is option B, go to Scene 19
Scene 18
Conversation between you, Sarah, and Ashley
You: I think we are now ready to file our report. Does everyone here agree that Mike is guilty?
Sarah: Yes. I agree.
7
Ashley: I agree, too. But wouldn’t you like to find out why Joanna was not comfortable reporting the matter to us directly? We can’t assume that she was shy. She could have felt threatened and if that was the case, we’d need to add that to our report.
Narrator: Check why Joanna had not approached the committee for Prevention of sexual harassment directly, go to scene 19
Scene 19
Conversation between you, Joanna, Jenna, Sarah, and Ashley
You: Why didn’t you approach us directly, Joanna?
Joanna: I felt very uncomfortable. I was afraid, I’d lose my job.
Sarah: Did Mike threaten you?
Joanna: Not directly. But the day after I refused a second time, I found that my part of the project had been assigned to someone else.
Ashley: Did you check with Mike, why?
Joanna: I no longer feel comfortable in his presence. It’s not just me. There are at least two other women in the team who have had to face this from Mike and have chosen to keep quiet.
Sarah: Could it be that Mike felt that you were not suited to the role?
Jenna: That is not the case. I have an email from the client just last week where they praised me for what I was doing. Mike himself forwarded the email to me with his personal compliments. I can forward that email to you.
Narrator: What should be your next step(s)?
A. Submit a report on the case, pronouncing Mike guilty of sexual harassment.
B. Take the matter up with Mike’s manager so that she can take it up with Mike.
C. Ask HR to organize training for the entire staff on prevention of sexual harassment.
D. Check with Mike if he got Joanna replaced as a consequence of her refusal.
If your answer is option A, go to Scene 20
If your answer is option B, go to Scene 21
If your answer is option C, go to Scene 22
If your answer is option D, go to Scene 25
Scene 20
Narrator: Write your report on the case in about 300 words.
A. Submit
B. Sample Report
If your answer is option A, go to Scene 23
If your answer is option B, go to Scene 24
8
Scene 21
Narrator: This is a good approach! It is important to let Mike’s reporting head know of the case and take appropriate action, including going over the company’s policy on sexual harassment with the offending party.
A. Submit a report on the case
B. Ask HR to organize training for the entire staff on prevention of sexual harassment
If your answer is option A, go to Scene 20
If your answer is option B, go to Scene 22
Scene 22
This is a good approach! If sexual harassment cases are on the rise or if people are not reporting them because they feel threatened, it is a good idea to have training organized for the entire staff.
A. Submit a report on the case
B. Take the matter up with Mike’s manager so that she can take it up with Mike.
If your answer is option A, go to Scene 20
If your answer is option B, go to Scene 21
Scene 23
Narrator: Congratulations on handling this case of sexual harassment! On the outside, most cases of this nature would seem pretty straightforward. But it is not always so, especially when you are dealing with colleagues that you interact with on a daily basis. It is very important to understand every nuance of such cases so that you can take the most appropriate decisions.
Scene 24
Narrator: Here’s a sample report for you to compare yours with.
Jenna from the project team brought to our attention a case of sexual harassment involving Joanna, an intern, and Mike, senior project manager. Jenna became aware of this instance when an email that Mike had written to Jenna asking her out for dinner ended up in Jenna’s inbox by mistake. When he realized his mistake, Mike apologized to Jenna and asked her not to mention this to anyone. Joanna later confided to Jenna that she had refused Mike’s request for a date but had been propositioned again when she met Mike in his office to discuss the project. When confronted, Mike admitted to having made the proposition but insisted that he had backed off when Joanna refused. When we questioned Joanna, we became aware that Mike had propositioned her again, despite her refusal. Joanna rejected him again. Possibly, as a consequence, Joanna’s role in the project was handed over to someone else. Joanna did not question Mike on this because she is clearly no longer comfortable facing him. We have reported the matter to Mike’s superior and have also asked HR to organize training on sexual harassment policies for the entire staff.
Is your report similar? It does not have to be.
9
Scene 25
Conversation between you, Mike and Ashley
You: Mike, did you have Joanna replaced because she refused your request for a date?
Mike: No! Whatever made you think that? She was just not fit for the role.
Ashley: Mike, we have an email from the client that you had forwarded to Joanna. Both you and the client have been effusive in your praise for her work on the project.
Mike: Oh! I see. I don’t know what to say! Well, alright, I made a mistake. I’m sorry.
Narrator:
A. Submit a report on the case, pronouncing Mike guilty of sexual harassment.
B. Take the matter up with Mike’s manager so that she can take it up with Mike.
C. Ask HR to organize training for the entire staff on prevention of sexual harassment.
If your answer is option A, go to Scene 20
If your answer is option B, go to Scene 21
If your answer is option C, go to Scene 22
