{"id":6129,"date":"2022-07-20T10:30:51","date_gmt":"2022-07-20T06:30:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gccexchange.com\/blog\/?p=6129"},"modified":"2022-07-20T11:14:20","modified_gmt":"2022-07-20T07:14:20","slug":"your-safety-is-the-priority","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gccexchange.com\/blog\/your-safety-is-the-priority\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Safety is the Priority"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Danger In the Workplace<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Safety and security are some of the first things we\nwant in life. Whether it be at home, on the street, or even at work, we expect\nothers to treat us with respect. Sadly, professionalism \u2013 nay, common decency<\/em>\n\u2013 is too tall an order for some in the population. According to this<\/a>\nresearch performed by Hiscox, a third of workers feel they have been harassed\nin the workplace, whether it be by superiors, fellow employees, or even\ncustomers. This abhorrent conduct is often overlooked or covered up, a fact\nthat many cannot stand to accept.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes the above statistic even worse is that 50%\nof those harassment cases consisted of sexual misconduct. Put shortly, a whole\nsixth of workers have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, a number\nthat is far too great to be ignored. Sadly, 40% of all workplace harassment\ngoes unreported, similar to recent statistics showing one-third of all sexual\nassault goes unreported nationwide. Even when it is<\/em> reported, more than\na third find the result of their courage unsatisfying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Distressingly, Hiscox also found that 36% of\norganizations do not provide anti-sexual harassment training of any kind. This\ntraining can teach what constitutes sexual harassment, the legal repercussions\nof sexual harassment, and what kind of behaviors are inappropriate at work.\nWithout this training, many may be unaware they are being harassed at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some places do require this training by law. California sexual harassment training<\/a>s legislation includes other preventative measures such as requiring posters to be placed in the workplace that inform employees of the definition, description, and illegality of sexual harassment. New York State\u2019s training laws also require employers to provide information addressing conduct performed by employers themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even with these measures, however, sexual harassment\nis still a regrettably common issue, for people of all ages or genders. You might\nbelieve yourself in some sort of \u201csafe\u201d demographic, but you\u2019re not. Seniority\nand qualification mean nothing to those who are willing to harass you, so keep\nyour guard up and don\u2019t hesitate to report that kind of misconduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The danger is not limited to your office, either. With\nhow often sexual assault occurs outside<\/em> the workplace, it is important\nto learn how you can safeguard yourself no matter where you are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips to Avoid Danger<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Free<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m sure many women out there already know to carry pepper spray. As atrocious as it is that this is a semi-requirement to simply live safely<\/em>, a single can of spray could save your life. Tasers and pocketknives are also invaluable, though the latter might be restricted depending on what State you live in. Rape whistles can also help if you\u2019re in a crowded area and your phone\u2019s quick emergency dial is an undervalued tool. You can find items like these at https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Womens-Personal-Safety-Products\/s?k=Women%27s+Personal+Safety+Products<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other than weapons or tools you can use, there is also\nmore general advice you can follow. Do not leave the house unaccompanied at\nnight, when drinking, or through dangerous areas. Safety in numbers is a\nlegitimate strategy no matter how strong you are, so group up if you\u2019re unsure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoiding alleyways and shortcuts is also generally a\ngood idea. Even if you have traveled through a specific alley multiple times,\nyou never know if some dangerous sort has made their way to your favored\ncut-through. Running a few minutes late to work is preferable to potentially\nbeing assaulted, after all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

General awareness and gut instinct are also important\nfactors in avoiding danger. If your attention is on your phone, you may not\nnotice incoming danger. And if something in your gut is telling you to look\nbehind you or run, it\u2019s probably best to do so. More often than not your instincts\nare right, so listen to them when they say you\u2019re in danger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do not trust strangers. That sounds like a no-brainer,\nbut a lot of criminals will threaten you with weapons or will try to appeal to\nyou, so you lower your guard and comply. Even if someone tells you they mean no\nharm, it\u2019s better to err on the side of caution. Those who are willing to skirt\nthe law are often liars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your Safety is the Priority<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Above all else, you are the only one who can protect\nyou. While it sucks that people out there are willing to hurt others, it is an\nunavoidable truth. Sexual harassment and assault are all too common, and\nvictims suffer for more than just the instant of the crime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your safety always comes first: before work, before a meeting between friends, before any potential legal repercussions. Your boss might threaten to fire you if you file a complaint against them, but do not bend. Your friends may be upset you\u2019re late to the get-together, but at least you arrived at all. The police even arrest you for defending yourself, but the courts will hear you out. Spare no expense or effort to keep yourself secure from sexual harassment, and you can rest well knowing you\u2019re safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n