Extent and Nature of Sexual Harassment in the Fashion Retail Workplace

Sexual harassment is a pervasive and costly problem in the workplace. Various researchers are pursuing issues associated with occupational self-analysis as a step toward understanding and eliminating sexual harassment. Individuals most likely to be sexually harassed are young, unmarried females—a description that coincides with a description of clothing and textiles students in that most share similar characteristics. This study was designed to clarify the nature and extent of sexual harassment in the fashion retail workplace from the perspective of a group of clothing and textiles students. The study used the Sexual Experiences Questionnaire (SEQ2) and the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board Survey, both designed to measure sexual harassment in the workplace. Data were collected in university classroom settings from students enrolled in clothing and textiles classes during spring semester, 1992 (N = 132). Although 97 students had experienced sexually harassing behaviors, only 41 labeled the behaviors as sexual harassment. The most frequently reported situations involved gender harassment and seductive behavior. Such behaviors constitute “condition of work” harassment and create an offensive work environment. Methods of coping with the behavior were to ignore it, avoid the perpetrator, or ask the person to stop. No respondent had filed formal complaint, grievance, or lawsuit. Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that students receive training on all aspects of sexual harassment so that they will be prepared to recognize and cope with it if it occurs.