25 Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace for Illinois Professionals, 2nd edition: Summary
| SCENARIO 5 Nancy is a social work manager who recently filed a sexual harassment claim with IDHR, citing the hospital’s chief operating officer (COO) as the harasser. The results of the ensuing investigation showed substantial evidence to indicate that sexual harassment had occurred. A complaint on her behalf was filed with the HRC. A financial settlement was reached, and the COO was terminated. Even though the investigative results supported her claim and she received compensation, Nancy cannot, as she put it, return to normal. She is having nightmares about the circumstances of the sexual harassment and is showing signs of depression. Her blood pressure is elevated, and she is experiencing ongoing gastrointestinal issues. Nancy is suffering from the physical and psychological
effects of dealing with sexual harassment. Physical and Psychological Effects of Dealing with Sexual Harassment Victims of sexual harassment are often bombarded with questions about why they did not come forward or why they came forward years after the harassment took place. There are several reasons for these issues: • Fear of blame, disbelief, retaliation, and/or damage to career or reputation • Feelings of shame, embarrassment, or guilt (“Did I do something to ‘cause’ the harassment?”) • Loss of job or loss of possible promotions • Conflicting emotions if the harasser was viewed as a friend or mentor until the sexual harassment occurred • Loss of agency in the reporting process • Fear/experience of reporting and investigation process (reliving, recounting potentially traumatizing experiences). In addition to the physical and emotional impact of sexual harassment, there is often a financial toll. Physical and emotional effects (physical illness, depression) may lead to absenteeism and negatively impact job performance and career progression. Physical Symptoms Related to Stress When faced with threatening circumstances, the body responds with a complex physiological reaction. When confronted by such circumstances, the hypothalamus releases a chemical messenger into the bloodstream that travels directly to the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland responds to this messenger by producing adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). ACTH travels through the
bloodstream until it reaches the adrenal glands. ACTH stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce corticoids, which work to release the body’s stored energy. The hypothalamus also stimulates the medulla of the adrenal gland to produce epinephrine. Epinephrine produces rapid, short-term high energy levels to deal with the stressor. Heart rate and blood pressure are elevated, digestion slows, sweating increases, and all the senses become more acute. All people experience stress at one time or another. The body responds to stress is the general adaptation syndrome (GAS), which has three phases. 1. Alarm : Alarm is the flight-or-fight response. The autonomic nervous system is activated, and there is an adrenaline surge. All body systems rally, and the body increases the energy needed to either flee from the stressor or confront it. 2. Resistance : The body works to regain homeostasis during the resistance. Coping and adaptation take place. Because the body cannot maintain the high energy levels of the alarm stage, it redirects the stress response to a manageable level. Resistance occurs with the assumption that the stressful circumstances are resolved or manageable. 3. Recovery or Exhaustion : The body recovers and regains homeostasis with the resolution or management of stressors. However, if the stress continues unabated, the body becomes exhausted, and the impact of elevated cortisol and other hormones begins to affect health negatively.
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