Sexual harassment is significantly more common in hospitality than in other
industries, and has a negative impact on both individuals and workplaces where it
occurs. The New Zealand Human Rights Commission ’s 2001 report on sexual
harassment found that 60% of those harassed subsequently leave their place of
work, indicating a significant cause of staff turnover, and a considerable expense
to employers.
The objectives of this study were therefore to identify the incidence and causes of
sexual harassment in hospitality, so recommendations for prevention could be
made to industry practitioners. As part of a wider doctoral study, quantitative and
qualitative data from 534 Auckland hospitality workers were analysed, and results
relating to sexual harassment identified. Of valid responses to questions on the
incidence of sexual harassment, 24% reported they had been harassed, a proportion
consistent with that found in Hoel ’s 2002 British doctoral study. Customer contact
was identified as a strong predictor of harassment, especially for young European
women and those working in food and beverages service. Harassment was notably
less prevalent where respondents had their own codes of ethics, and where training
was perceived as satisfactory.
High tolerance of harassment evident in written comments was associated with
enjoyment and the nature of the industry, implying a sense of duty and behavioural
norm extending well beyond limits accepted outside hospitality.
Recommendations include the discouragement of behaviours and appearances
associated with harassment by guests, such as the use of sexuality in employee –
customer relationships. Training employees to reject sexual advances skilfully and
professionally is also recommended, as is promoting harassment-free workplaces to
both guests and staff using codes of ethics, pamphlets, or posters. However, as the
root causes of sexual harassment are may be outside the reach of such prevention
strategies, the discussion also addresses the implications of working in commercial
hospitality.
The tradition of sexual behaviour in hospitality is therefore addressed, and its
relationship to the sexual favours provided in pre-Christian taverns, where
barmaids were also prostitutes. The study concludes that sexual harassment is
pervasive in hospitality, in part, because it is perceived as integral to the industry
by both staff and customers.
