The Emergence of Web Series and the increase of Sexual Harassment at workplaces Targeting docile Women – Dr Alok Chandra

The situation is cause for concern for protagonist of Safe and equal work environment for all   . There has been an increase in the incidence of sexual harassment cases inside the workplace, which can be attributed to the presence of sexually explicit behaviour due to employees consuming in adult web series content during working hours.

Sexual harassment constitutes a significant issue within the professional environment, exerting a profound and detrimental influence on its victims. In recent years, there has been an increasing apprehension regarding the role of sexualisation of women in popular culture and its potential contribution to the issue at hand.

 In recent times, there has been a notable surge in the quantity of online programs that openly exhibit sexually explicit material. This content can be observed throughout a range of genres, encompassing humor, drama, and even horror. There is a growing prevalence of sexualized content, characterized by instances of violence and humiliation towards women, inside web series and social media platforms. This content has the potential to perpetuate the normalization of sexual harassment, so fostering a perception of increased acceptability, thereby contributing to a rise in workplace incidences of harassment.

While there are some who contend that this content merely mirrors the contemporary state of affairs, there exists an opposing viewpoint positing that it is actively fostering a culture of workplace harassment targeting women.

According to a survey conducted by  Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, a significant majority of female characters, namely 73% in popular films, are depicted as being objectified. The research additionally revealed a disparity in the portrayal of female characters, who are more frequently depicted in sexually exposing attire and subjected to instances of sexual assault compared to their male counterparts. The aforementioned content possesses the potential to exert detrimental effects on its audience, particularly among individuals in their formative years. This perspective suggests that individuals may acquire the belief that women are commodified entities, subject to utilization and subsequent abandonment, hence fostering a permissive attitude towards disrespectful treatment of women. This phenomenon has the potential to contribute to a higher level of tolerance towards workplace harassment, along with several other manifestations of violence targeting women. There exists a significant association between the consumption of sexually explicit content in web series by males and several negative behaviors, including sexual objectification, lack of empathy, making derogatory comments about women’s bodies, and engaging in insults towards women who are perceived as unattractive.

Several strategies can be implemented to effectively tackle this issue. One strategy is increasing public consciousness on the matter and questioning the acceptance of sexual harassment as a societal norm. Another approach is to actively strive to alter the manner in which women are depicted in mainstream media and entertainment. One potential approach to address this issue is to advocate for increased inclusivity and respectful portrayals of women within the media.

The prevalence of employees accessing sexually explicit web series content in the workplace is growing as a result of increased internet accessibility and affordable data plans. Furthermore, there was no significant correlation observed between the exposure of sexually explicit content among girls in web series and the objectification of males. The female gender Objectification refers to the process of treating or assigning value to an individual based primarily on their exterior attributes, rather than considering their intrinsic qualities or virtues. The phenomenon of objectification has significant influence over the many personal attributes and overall existence of individuals (Loughnan et al., 2010).The pervasive exposure of women to visual representations and communication that depict them primarily as sexual entities might engender a sense of objectification and disempowerment among them.

The aforementioned circumstances can give rise to a variety of adverse outcomes, such as heightened levels of worry and stress, diminished self-worth, challenges in maintaining focus, heightened susceptibility to developing depression and anxiety disorders, and an elevated likelihood of experiencing workplace harassment.

In conjunction with the aforementioned findings, several further studies have identified a correlation between sexualized material and instances of workplace harassment. A study conducted by the University of Southern California revealed that female individuals who were subjected to sexualized content exhibited a higher propensity to encounter instances of workplace harassment.

The impact of media depictions that commodify and sexualize individuals of both genders on the mental health of guys. The field of study that explores the psychological aspects of males and their adherence to masculine norms is an academic topic. Furthermore, it is worth noting that employees often find themselves involved in discussions that include ambiguous overtones. These dialogues, while potentially unsettling for persons who possess submissive tendencies and hold strong religious beliefs, are tolerated by them as a result of their devout and morally upright upbringing. This occurrence led to the perpetrator becoming more confident, exhibiting heightened levels of hostility, and participating in the practice of assigning names of pornographic stars to their coworkers. Furthermore, the participants actively participated in dialogues concerning websites that are restricted and literary creations produced by authors who have faced bans from multiple governments on the grounds of their perceived indecency. The aforementioned behaviours contribute to the development of a toxic and hazardous workplace atmosphere for women, hence impeding the cultivation of a conducive work environment conducive to promoting overall well-being and productivity.

During the course of the discussion with multiple human resources professionals, an additional disclosure surfaced regarding specific employees participating in unauthorized conduct within a specific group on the messaging app WhatsApp. The aforementioned individuals were discovered to be distributing offensive photographs and engaging in inappropriate communication while under the influence of alcohol, thereby damaging the reputation and integrity of their colleagues. Moreover, this instance of misconduct entailed the dehumanization of female individuals through the dissemination of non-consensual photographs taken during corporate organised events with different perspective, so exacerbating the development of a detrimental workplace atmosphere.

The act of transmitting unpleasant messages over the WhatsApp platform, which involves the objectification of female colleagues and the mockery of colleagues based on their medical conditions, constitutes a significant manifestation of workplace harassment. The presence of such behaviour has the potential to cultivate an antagonistic and precarious professional milieu, so inflicting severe harm onto those subjected to it. Aubrey (2006) – Aubrey, J.S. (2006). The impact of sexually objectifying media on the phenomena of self-objectification and body surveillance

In addition to exerting detrimental impacts on women’s mental well-being, workplace harassment can engender a plethora of adverse outcomes. For instance, this phenomenon can result in a decline in productivity, a rise in absenteeism, and potentially even employee churn. Furthermore, it has the potential to adversely impact the reputation of a company and provide challenges in terms of attracting and retaining highly skilled individuals.

Fortunately, there are several measures that can be implemented to mitigate incidents of workplace harassment. An essential measure involves establishing a workplace environment that fosters respect and inclusivity. This entails the establishment of explicit policies that proscribe harassment and the provision of training to staff on the methods of preventing and addressing instances of harassment. The establishment of a comprehensive framework for the reporting and investigation of harassment accusations is of paramount importance.

By implementing these measures, organizations can establish a work environment that fosters a sense of safety and mutual respect among all employees. This will not only yield advantages for personnel, but it will also contribute positively to the organization’s financial performance.

The phenomenon of sexualizing women in popular culture is a multifaceted one, although its detrimental effects on women in professional environments are evident. By increasing public consciousness regarding this matter and endeavoring to transform the manner in which women are depicted in the media, we may contribute to the establishment of a more dignified and just society that benefits all individuals.

There exist several strategies that can be employed to address the issue of workplace harassment targeting women. An essential measure involves providing comprehensive education to both employers and employees of the detrimental consequences associated with the consumption and dissemination of sexually explicit material. It is imperative for employers to establish explicit policies that restrict the consumption of adult webseries on personal mobile devices and laptops in order to effectively address workplace harassment. Additionally, employers should ensure the availability of appropriate tools to support individuals who have experienced harassment.

Individuals can also contribute to the mitigation of workplace harassment. In the event of observing or encountering workplace harassment, it is imperative to assertively voice one’s concerns. The appropriate course of action would involve reporting the incident of harassment to either one’s employer, a representative from the human resources department, or a relevant government body. In addition, it is possible to engage in conversations with a reliable confidant, such as a trusted friend or family member, regarding the challenges one is now experiencing.

It is imperative to bear in mind that one is not in isolation. Workplace harassment constitutes a significant issue, necessitating the implementation of remedial measures. Through active participation and implementation of proactive measures, it is possible to cultivate a workplace environment that fosters respect and inclusivity for all individuals.

In the event of encountering workplace harassment, it is crucial to recognize that one is not in alone

Disclaimer: Views expressed are of academic nature and and based on various studies and interaction with cross section of industries of various countries. Does not point towards any specific individual or company or events or country. Similarity if any may be just incidental.

Dr Alok Chandra

Professor Lala Lajpatrai institute of Management Mumbai India

POSH trainer Speaker Author Wing Commander IAF  War Veteran

Protagonist for Women rights and Safe & inclusive work Place

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