Discussing Sexual Harassment in the Classroom (or Online): An Interactive Exercise

Abstract

This article introduces an engaging pedagogical activity tailored for undergraduate (or graduate) Organizational Behavior or Human Resources courses to discuss the topic of sexual harassment. Traditional-aged students are often unaware of what is considered gender-based harassment. Rather than simply relying on legal definitions, this exercise employs an interactive framework that facilitates the recognition of sexual harassment within workplace contexts. Students are shown a concise yet realistic video portraying two young people interacting at work, where the male character makes inappropriate advances toward the female character. The video content balances authenticity and sensitivity to ensure a conducive learning environment without creating discomfort among participants. The follow-up questions and discussion encourage the exchange of diverse viewpoints concerning the portrayed behaviors of the characters. Upon the completion of this immersive exercise, students will be equipped with an increased ability to identify and address instances of sexual harassment within organizational settings.