Abstract:
Sexual harassment (SH) at workplace can be broadly described as “unwelcome” behavior in the workplace that has a sexual or sexist nature. A number of studies have investigated the factors that affect workplace sexual harassment and labeling of sexual harassment. Majority of the studies published so far were based on research conducted on educational institutions. The prime objective of this study was to explore the major factors influencing workplace sexual harassment at Ambo Town Government Offices. The researcher employed multi stage sampling to select sample respondents for the study. Snowball sampling was used to identify victims of workplace sexual harassment and then the researcher selected informants using purposive sampling methods. Data were gathered through questionnaire, key informant interview, and case study. Both qualitative and quantitative data analysis methods were employed to analyze and interpreted the results. Model regression analysis method was also employed to identify the extent to which these factors affect the prevalence of workplace sexual harassment. The finding identified that work office related factors (M=3.6) and demographic factors (M=3.65) highly influenced sexual harassment while women related factors had moderate influence (M=3.46) on the prevalence of workplace sexual harassment in the sampled study area. The finding in general disclosed that these three major factors had profound influence on workplace sexual harassment (av. Mean=3.58). The finding of the study identified that both nonverbal (av. Mean=2.8) and verbal sexual harassment (av. M=3.18) were moderately practiced while quid pro quo sexual harassment highly existed (av. Mean=3.6) in the sampled study area. With reference to women‟s coping mechanisms of workplace sexual harassment, the finding identified that women made moderate attempt in denial/ avoidance coping mechanisms of workplace sexual harassment (av. M=334) and sector leaders also showed moderate attempt in dealing with the issue (av. M=3.2). Based on the finding of the study and the problems addressed the researcher recommended that importantly, the appropriate professionals must assist victims of past and present harassment to overcome the negative effects of that experience. Besides, the study recommends that women should be active and committed to immediately report the issue to the concerned body to avoid such problems at workplace
