Sexual Harassment and Productivity in Erbil City’s Work and Learning Environment: A Case Study

Eiram Amjed Khudhr; Meram Salim Shekh Mohamad; Ala Beshank Ahmed

doi:10.25212/lfu.qzj.9.2.47

Authors

Eiram Amjed Khudhr Department of English Language, College of Education and Languages, Lebanese French University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.
Meram Salim Shekh Mohamad Department of English Language, College of Education and Languages, Lebanese French University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Ala Beshank Ahmed Department of English Language, College of Education and Languages, Lebanese French University, Erbil Kurdistan Region, Iraq

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25212/lfu.qzj.9.2.47

Keywords:

Sexual harassment, productivity, workplace, gender violence

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between sexual harassment in the workplace and learning environment and its effects on productivity in Erbil city. It explores various dimensions of sexual harassment, including its prevalence, types, and the psychological and emotional toll it takes on victims. Furthermore, it examines how these experiences impact work and learning environment dynamics, job satisfaction, and employee morale. As well as assessing the potential organizational costs associated with sexual harassment, such as less creativity, absenteeism, and decreased overall productivity. Conducting the interview approach to further investigate the victims’ struggles and harassers’ power relations. The study seeks to uncover the extent to which sexual harassment affects employees’ and learners’ ability to perform their tasks effectively. The researchers analyze the findings according to feminist theory on sexual harassment by Bell Hooks and apply Michel Foucault’s theory on power relations.

By shedding light on the complex interplay between sexual harassment and productivity, this research aims to provide valuable insights for organizations and policymakers. The findings may help develop strategies to create safer and more productive work environments, ultimately fostering a healthier and more equitable work and learning environment.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Al-Muwali, A. (2022). Women’s Rights and the Workplace. https://kapita.iq/content/issue/womens-rights-and-workplace

Faeq, D. (2022). The Role of Job Bullying in Promoting Turnover Intention. Cihan University-Erbil Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 6(2), 17-26. https://doi.org/10.24086/cuejhss.v6n2y2022.pp17-26

Foucault, M. (1979). Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison. NY: Vintage Books.

Heaton, J. B., 1990. Writing English Language Tests: A Practical Guide for Teachers of English as a Second or Foreign Language. New York: Longman Publishing Group.

Hooks, B. (2000). Feminist theory: From margin to center. Pluto Press

Humm, M. (2003). The Dictionary of Feminist Theory, Edinburgh University Press.

Investopedia (n.d). Investopedia.com. Retrieved September 28, 2023, from https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/productivity.asp

Jhangiani, R. et al (2020). Research Methods in Psychology. Available at: https://opentextbc.ca/researchmethods/

Khaleel, S. (2016). We Call Upon the Kurdish Community to Take Urgent Action for Women’s Rights and Stand against Sexual Harassment. https://www.iraqicivilsociety.org/archives/5594

Lee, B. H. (2018). # Me Too movement; it is time that we all act and participate in transformation. Psychiatry investigation, 15(5), 433-433.

McLaughlin, H., Uggen, C., & Blackstone, A. (2012). Sexual harassment, workplace authority, and the paradox of power. American sociological review, 77(4), 625-647.

Muhamad, S. K. (2022). The sex-based harassment crime of women and the culture of silence in the Iraqi-Kurdistan Region. Qalaai Zanist Journal, 7(3), 951–978. https://doi.org/10.25212/lfu.qzj.7.3.38