Women at work – Sexual Harassment

I have prepared this post to respond to several issues arising in the mind of people related to women at work. In different part of the globe, women at work is perceived differently.  In many cultures, the role of woman is limited to the boundary of a house only. But woman has succeeded to assert their individuality in the organizational context and thus, imposing an equal opportunities right. This assertion has address several organizational issues.
Woman’s work, whether inside the home or outside in the world of paid employment, has traditionally involved caring for others.  The labor market has considerably occupied female participation leading to a high proportion of female participation in the workforce.

In Economics, this progression is termed as the supply of labor into the labor market. This supply has lead to more investment worldwide. Organizations have been created to create employment and to survive with a good profit margin. The top 10 jobs that women occupied in organizations are as follows:

• Secretaries
• Child care workers
• Nurses
• Healthcare support jobs
• Bookkeepers
• Health care aides
• Special education teachers
• Financial clerks
• Personal appearance workers
• Information clerks.

In the contemporary workforce, woman are seen to hold managerial positions which gives an indication of their progress in the labor market.

With regard to the female progression in the workforce, we cannot reach to a precise conclusion as there are many factors affecting women at work. Our society has been and is still a male-dominated society. But this gender difference is fading with time. The advent of the Equal Opportunities Right in many countries have guaranteed equality in rights between male and female. However, the fading gender difference has already set an impact in the labor market – Works are gendered!

Nowadays, works are gendered. That is, mostly male occupy managerial positions as this has been like this for years. Woman has been occupying minor roles in organizations. Sexual harassment at work is not a new problem. The behaviours that constitute it have been a source of concern to generations of working women.

Women don’t really react today about sexual harassment because they feel that their jobs are of utmost importance.     They ignore the occurrence of this act. If a woman dresses or behave in a sexy way, she is considered to be at fault in case of sexual harassment.

“There is no excuse for harassment regardless of how the woman looks. Anyone can control their sexual feelings and are entirely responsible for their own actions.“

“Sexual harassment happens to all women at some time in their lives, regardless of their age, physical appearance or marital status. Sexual harassment is about the abuse of power – those who feel and are more powerful, harass and intimidate those who are not.”

“Many are forced to ignore it, but often feel bad about it. In the workplace especially, research shows that if sexual harassment is ignored, most of the time, it continues or gets worse!“

Sexual harassment is a serious issue in organizational and social context, it must not be ignored.  It has serious effects on women as it can affect someone both emotionally (depression, fear, loss of control) and physically (headache, sleep disturbances, weight gain or loss, nausea, disordered eating, crying spells).

In cases of sexual harassment, speak up. There are laws and regulations against such acts in many countries. This is an evil which must be discouraged. Here are some regulations against Sexual Harassment in Mauritius:

Acts of Sexual Harassment

(1) No employer, or agent of an employer, shall sexually harass an employee or a person seeking employment from the employer.
(2) No job contractor or principal shall sexually harass a contract worker.
(3) No employee shall sexually harass a fellow employee or a person seeking employment from his employer.
(4) No agent of an employment agency shall sexually harass a person in the course of providing, or offering to provide, any of the agency’s services to that person.
(5) No person referred to in section 15, or his employee, shall sexually harass another person in relation to the conferment, renewal, extension, revocation or withdrawal of an authorisation or qualification referred to in that section.
(6) (a) No member of the staff of an educational institution shall sexually harass a student at the institution or a person who is seeking admission as a student.
(b) No student at an educational institution shall sexually harass another student or a member of the staff

(7) No person referred to in section 18 shall sexually harass another person in the course of providing or offering to provide goods, services or facilities to the other person.
(8) No person referred to in section 19 shall sexually harass another person in the course of providing, or offering to provide, accommodation to the other person.
(9) No person shall sexually harass another person in the course of dealing with the other person in connection with –
(a) disposing, or offering to dispose of, any immovable property to the other person; or
(b) acquiring, or offering to acquire, any immovable property from the other person.
(10) No officer or member of a company, partnership, “société”, registered association or club shall sexually harass a member or other member, as the case may be, or a person seeking to become a member.

(11) Any person who contravenes this section shall commit an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding 100,000 rupees and to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years.

What you must do in case of sexual harassment?

1. Say No CLEARLY

2. Write down what happened with all the records about the date, time and witnesses. Keep the record safe to report in case this happen again

3. Report the harassment directly

4. Use the Grievance Procedure available at work : Many companies have procedures in place to deal with sexual harassment and discrimination

5. Involve your UNION

6. File a Discrimination Complaint with a Government Agency

7. File a lawsuit : involving the court and request for damages

I hope that this post will help to create awareness on the issue of sexual harassment and I will highly request all those who are facing such situations, just speak up because every problem has a solution. But don’t turn this issue into a power to put false allegations on anybody as the labor laws are very strict and you will be trapped easily. This is a serious problem both in the society and in organizations, if this has really happened to you, then report this case to the court.

Newcastle v/s Portsmouth : Will Newcastle make it today ?

The debut for Newcastle United FC has not been eye-catching this season.  Only last five games are left to decide whether Newcastle will stay in this league or not. From the various sources of information available on the net, it is seen that Alan Shearer is demanding much efforts from his players to make an impact tonight at St. James’ Park.

Below is the comment of the 38-year-old, Alan Shearer:

(Alan Shearer: Played for Southampton, Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United and English nation team;  leads the scoring records with 260 Premier League goals)

“It’s a must-win for us and I want it to be the game which kicks off of the run which gets us out of trouble.”

This reaction shows that it will not be an easy match tonight because though Newcastle is fighting relegation, Portsmouth is also making keen effort to move upward the 14th position in the league table.

My Prognostic :

Newcastle (2) – (0) Portsmouth

Champions League: FC Porto vs Manchester United

“Porto are a good team – very powerful – and they’ve not reached this stage without ability. We know we have a big job to do but it should be a good match.”

– Sir Alex

The last week’s match between Manchester United and FC Porto at Old Trafford reached a draw 2-2. Today is the decision night, a night which will mark history. Will the 2004 Champions League winner knock out the Red Devils or will it be the vice-versa?

Everything can happen tonight because FC Porto cannot be under-estimated as they have reached here in this Champions Leage 2009. Sir Alex Ferguson seems to be very delighted about tonight’s match. He said that it is a pleasure to be involved in European nights. He also admitted that FC Porto was better than United the previous match at Old Trafford.

“We know we have a big job to do but it should be a good match. I don’t know how open the game will be – that’s up to Porto and how they approach it. Nevertheless, we know we have to score and that’s what’s really important.”

Sir Alex

On the other hand, FC Porto also is showing much confidence while believing that they will face a fierce opponent. The FC Porto’s Captain respects the opponents strenghts. FC Porto has made some changes also to its team by choosing Lisandro and Tomas Costa in its upcoming clash against Manchester United.

Bookies have set very good odds for Manchester United for they are aware that FC Porto cannot be under-estimated. Everything can happen in this match.

FC Porto vs Manchester United

350 – 320 – 210

My prognostic:

FC Porto (1) – (2) Manchester United

Mauritius Turf Prognostic – Race 2

Race 1

Win: Sputnik

Place: Jazz King

Race 2

Win: Appeal Board

Place: Max Jaffa

Race 3

Win: Amaphupho

Place: Bang On Time

Race 4

Win: Sideliner

Place: Ace The Match

Race 5

Win: Hold My Jacket

Place: Northern Wolf

Race 6

Win: Northern Frontier

Place: Cavendish

Race 7

Win: Anti-Freeze

Place: Jurlshan

Race 8

Win: Mississipi Magic

Place: Telaroyal

Happy Betting.

Manchester United vs Porto : 07 April 2009

“Porto have some good players and a good manager, but we know we are stronger.”   – Cristiano Ronaldo

The Champions League quarter final match between Manchester United and Porto will be played at Old Trafford tonight. Cristiano Ronaldo believes that Manchester United is stronger than Porto though Porto has some good elements in its team and with a good manager.

The dramatic last 10 minutes of Sunday’s match has raised the confidence level of the Red Devils high enough to play a good match against Porto. The 17 year old young Italian Federico Macheda marks the goal against Aston Villa to set the score to 3-2 during the injury time. Macheda says that this was the best day of his life.

Birth date: 22 August 1991

Birth place: Rome

Position: Striker

Appearances: 1

Goal scored: 1

Macheda joined United on the 1st of September 2007 and his first debut was against Aston Villa on the 5th of April 2009 where he scored a wonderful goal to become the Old Trafford hero.  The new hero is a good hope for United and has contributed to raise the confidence level of the Red Devils for the confrontation against Porto.

Porto is not an easy team to defeat though its odd is quite down in the betting industry. But odds never determine the odd side of a team. The Champions League 2004 was won by Porto and the team has knocked out Manchester United during that event.

Sir Alex is standing firm to face the threat of FC Porto tonight though he is aware that Porto is not easy to defeat. He said that it would be easy to expect an easy routes to the semi-finals tonight.

FC Porto is also preparing for this confrontation with full serenity. Rodriguez stated “We know what we have to do”. This player of Porto speaks with much confidence on behalf of his team. This confrontation is not going to be an easy one despite of its highly differing betting odds.

In the general statistics of the UEFA Champions League 2008/2009,  FC Porto has won 4 matches compared to United which has won only 3 matches. But nothing can be affirmed until the match is played. Goals matter.

My prognostic:

Manchester United 1 – 1 FC Porto

I am a fan of Manchester United and I hope that Manchester win this match but the gathered facts state that this is not an easy match.

Bodybuilding

Bodybuilding – The Animal Kingdom

Many has entered this world but ran away in some days, months or years.  These are losers…

It is a world of suffering and we have to be aware of this before entering this world. Only winners are here…

Bodybuilding is my passion.

You know why people ran away from this world? It is because they have a mindset that will never change. They expect to become like bodybuilding pros in some weeks or months. But this is a wrong mindset! It is essential to bear in mind that when you step to train, you won’t gain much in even months. Another name for bodybuilding is patience. Keep cultivating, you will reap one day or another. In bodybuilding also the concept is the same.

I am neither a pro nor a beginner. I am simply a patient bodybuilder who is aware that the day of harvest will come! This is the mindset which is essential to develop in this world.

Go Hard OR Go Home!

I will soon come up with my bodybuilding work-outs.

Mauritius Turf

Hello friends

When it comes to turf, I cannot stay away from it. Below is my personal prognostic for the new season 2009 starting tomorrow.

Day 1

Race 1:  Place on the bay

Race 2: Portmanteau

Race 3: Porto

Race 4: Jose Mourinho

Race 5: Camden’s Choice

Race 6:  Short Corner

Race 7:  Lucien

Race 8: Wild Dan

These are my personal prognostics after much analysis. Happy Betting!

It’s 20:08 and I just updated the prognostic I gave yesterday. Among the eight prognostics, 3 won and 2 place. Now, let’s wait for next week.

Kevin Nash

Kevin Nash – An actor and a wrestler

Since my childhood, I was really fond of watching wrestling and I have been a fan of Kevin Nash.  Apart from being a wrestler, he is also a well-known actor who has the wit of Howard Stern and wise opinions on everything ranging from sports to politics. He has the lead in philosophical conversation and he knows well how to back up all of his claims with biting humor and surprising wisdom. He is better known as “Big Sexy” to his fans.

During his childhood, he wanted to become a professional basketball player. He served the U.S. Army for two years. He indulged in the wrestling business in 1993.

Height: 6′ 10″
Weight: 295
Physique: Athletic
Voice Type: Bass

Date of Birth: 9 July 1959, Detroit, Michigan, USA

Birth Name: Kevin Scott Nash

He has been entitled to many championships since he has indulged in the wrestling business. Some of the championships are listed below:

Won the Pro Wrestler of the Year Award [1995]

Fomer WWF Intercontinental Champion

Former WWF Heavyweight Champion

Former WCW Heavyweight Champion

Former World Tag Team Champion

I am still an addict of wrestling and continue to support Kevin Nash – the born champion!

Nature is the language of God

I have great pleasure to present you the writing of Miss Parvati, a student of Indian Philosophy. She has as aim to promote teachings of the Almighty to everyone. Below is her wonderful writing on Nature as the language of God:

“Ekam sadvipraha bahuda vadanti ” (Rig Veda) meaning that the truth is one but sages call it by different names.

Nature has tried to convey many messages to us but unfortunately, people are so much encompassed by the dark shadow of the modern era that it is difficult for them to revive the teachings of spirituality. Today we are living in a competitive and corrupted world that we tend to ignore the manifestation of the nature.

According to Hindu sacred scriptures, it is said that the Supreme Being has manifested as Nature so as to protect us.  Today, 95% of the world’s population tends to forget the blessing of God. It becomes really impossible for them to understand the laws of Nature. Infact, Nature consists of three modes or “gunas” as mentioned in Hinduism. These people are trapped in the mode of darkness (tamo guna) which indicates failure, laziness, greed, selfishness, arrogance, anger and so on.

Everyone fails to understand nature as being the language of God. Though, it is noticeable to people how nature is revolting through Tsunami, cyclones and earthquakes, but no one happens to realise that the nature is the language of God. Nowadays, it is really a very difficult task for someone to become liable to truthfulness and sincerity. Maybe it is impossible to bring the concept of righteousness in the mundane world but by living in nature, by applying the disciplines of nature in our life, we are bestowed with only peace and bliss.

From the above writings, it can be said that time is revolting for people are not going according to it. That is why nature, the language of God is also vanishing the true significance of scriptures.

The Power to Say NO

The major problem in this modern era is that we cannot say “NO”.  I will keep things simple for you all to understand this post.

“NO” is a two-letter words comprising of the 14th alphabet and the 15th alphabet. The formation of the 14th and 15th alphabet has resulted in the most powerful word in the dictionary. I believe that the word “NO” is the most powerful word in the dictionary.

Saying NO is of utmost importance in this modern era. Just like many people are facing communication problems to integrate better in their respective environment, the power of refusing is declining.  Let’s take a case to better approach this subject.  Once upon a time, there were five youngsters who were fixing a party to celebrate the ending year and the menu list was finalised. For menu, fried chickens, lambs and salads were to be prepared. Soft drinks were also to be purchased. The surprising fact is that one of the five youngsters was a pure vegetarian and a highly spiritual person. He was calm by nature. When the planning was being done for the party, his friends insisted that he must taste the chicken on that day.  He did not know how to refuse them. The pressure on him was very high. He simply accepted because his closest friends were insisting. On that big day, he was feeling very uncomfortable to taste the chicken as he has been following strict principles since childhood. But the pressure was so high that he finally tasted the chicken. That single moment ruined his entire life. His parents deserted him for this act which broke their family traditions of vegetarianism.  All that he was left was regret.

This case concludes that if we don’t have the power of saying “No” in life, we can even lose ourselves.

If you feel that something is wrong and you don’t want to go for it. Stop. Think. Act. Say NO. Don’t go for it. Losers will always accept all what come in their ways, but winners will filter the good and bad to make the wisest choice. To be able to filter the good and the bad, you must be able to position yourself to go against bad things in life. Many people just act to please others. They feel uncomfortable if they are against a whole crowd. But it’s now or never! We must never consider what will others think about us, we must consider what will our consciousness think about our existence.

Life is a gift, don’t ruin it. To move forward, we have to oppose the bad elements of life. Develop this power of saying “NO” with utmost confidence, and you shall win.