| Since ancient times women have been viewed, | | | | accordance with company policy and governing |
| in many cultures, as men's inferiors | | | | laws. It is important to realize, for |
| physically, morally, and intellectually. | | | | example, that an executive team based in the |
| Today, in western cultures, women enjoy more | | | | home office in the United States is actually |
| freedom and equality than ever before in | | | | legally responsible for the actions of their |
| history. Despite the gains made by women in | | | | employees worldwide, including in |
| recent years, particularly in the U.S., many | | | | subsidiaries in foreign countries. |
| women worldwide still find that their access | | | | |
| to education, employment, healthcare and | | | | Working in the international arena can be |
| political influence are limited because of | | | | challenging. Many foreign countries have no |
| their gender. These discrepancies continue to | | | | laws or regulations concerning sexual |
| exist because many societies still maintain | | | | harassment, or they are not enforced, and as |
| centuries-old social and religious laws, | | | | a result employees in many countries do not |
| customs, and traditions that have created | | | | understand the American viewpoint. As a |
| barriers to education, jobs, and healthcare, | | | | result, male managers in the U.S. who are |
| as well as deprive women of their political | | | | unfamiliar with more traditional societies |
| and civil rights.Sexual HarassmentSexual | | | | may avoid sending female staff members to |
| harassment is usually defined as a form of | | | | represent their companies to these cultures, |
| discrimination in which sexual advances or | | | | fearing that these businesswomen cannot be |
| requests for sexual favors constitute a | | | | effective in male-oriented societies. This |
| condition of a person's employment or | | | | viewpoint, however, may be keeping these |
| advancement in the workplace. It frequently | | | | executives from using what is in fact their |
| occurs between a male and a female, often | | | | strongest asset, since women's perceived |
| instigated by a male manager or other person | | | | attributes -- being good listeners, |
| in power. While many countries are starting | | | | mediators, and consensus builders -- are |
| to have laws against such discrimination, it | | | | well-received in international business. Male |
| is often reported that the laws are not | | | | managers only need to become knowledgeable |
| enforced. | | | | about the situation in other countries and |
| | | | what their responsibilities are in the event |
| Sexual harassment occurs in workplaces | | | | of sexual harassment. They can then send |
| worldwide, including the United States. Laws | | | | their female staff members with |
| that specifically prohibit sexual harassment | | | | confidence.U.S. courts (see offer some legal |
| have been enacted in Argentina, Australia, | | | | remedies and suggestions for handling |
| Canada, France, Germany, Israel, Mexico, the | | | | discrimination and harassment situations: |
| Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the | | | | "The (U.S.) courts have established that |
| United States, but many other countries are | | | | corporations that assign a U.S. citizen to a |
| still in the process of studying the problem. | | | | post in a foreign country must treat that |
| There are two types of sexual harassment | | | | employee as if he or she were in the U.S., |
| defined by U.S. law: quid pro quo and hostile | | | | regardless of local customs and traditions." |
| environment. Quid pro quo means that an | | | | Recent Supreme Court cases suggest several |
| employee is asked to perform a sexual act in | | | | legal/human resource strategies that can be |
| exchange for a job, promotion, or other perk. | | | | used to prevent gender discrimination. The |
| A "hostile environment" is described as one | | | | first is: "to educate and prepare employees |
| which contains situations, acts, or items | | | | sent to work in different countries abroad. |
| that can inhibit the productivity of an | | | | Should a dispute arise, arbitration or |
| employee, such as sexually suggestive | | | | mediation is preferred over litigation. The |
| language, behavior, or pictures.Some | | | | best overall strategy is to develop and |
| strategies (as discussed in more detail | | | | implement a well-conceived company policy |
| below) for employees who experience sexual | | | | that ensures gender equality" (Cava, A. & |
| harassment include confronting the individual | | | | Mayer, D., 1993).Management ResponsibilityThe |
| by informing him or her of the intrusive | | | | elimination of sexual harassment starts at |
| behavior and requesting that he or she stop | | | | home. If your company doesn't have a company |
| it, notifying management or, should | | | | policy on discrimination and sexual |
| management be the offender, notifying the | | | | harassment at home, there will be little to |
| personnel department or the Equal Employment | | | | back you up if you find yourself facing such |
| Opportunity Commission (EEOC). (In the United | | | | situations in the international environment. |
| States, call toll free 800-669-EEOC or see | | | | Top management must therefore take a |
| to find your local office.) The EEOC will be | | | | proactive role in eradicating it from the |
| able to provide you with written guidelines | | | | workplace. There are many good reasons for |
| for determining what constitutes sexual | | | | doing so. Sexual harassment can reduce |
| harassment and how to deal with it.Sexual | | | | employee productivity and morale, and |
| DiscriminationThe American businesswoman may | | | | consequently it can have a negative impact on |
| unwittingly and unavoidably be party to | | | | a company's bottom line, as well as cost |
| conversations and actions that discriminate | | | | firms a great deal in lawsuits. |
| against women. For example, in Asian | | | | |
| businesses it is natural to ask a female | | | | It is the responsibility of the executive |
| employee to serve tea, and a woman may be | | | | staff to eliminate sexual harassment. Top |
| subjected to innocent questions about her | | | | management must instruct its staff that |
| age, marital status, and whether or not she | | | | sexual harassment is illegal and will not be |
| has children. In Korea and Japan, protocol | | | | tolerated.. Issuing sexual harassment |
| has men entering rooms and elevators ahead of | | | | policies, scheduling open discussions, |
| women. In Europe, office talk tends to be | | | | expressing disapproval, creating a path for |
| more flirtatious and sexual in nature, | | | | resolution and complaint, and respecting |
| sprinkled with many off-color jokes and puns. | | | | individual privacy should all be part of the |
| Derogatory statements about women in Germany | | | | top management plan. A comfortable |
| are often expressed openly in the office, and | | | | environment with open, company-wide |
| reference to a woman's physique is not | | | | communication is key to alleviating any |
| uncommon in Italy and France. Other countries | | | | inhibitions employees may have about |
| still view a woman who is alone as a | | | | discussing their experiences.As a first step, |
| prostitute since otherwise her husband, | | | | a company needs a visible, comprehensive |
| boyfriend or family would accompany her. | | | | policy emphasizing the importance of |
| American women often view excessive flattery | | | | appropriate behavior: harassment and social |
| by Latin Americans as derogatory because U.S. | | | | misconduct toward its employees will not be |
| office policies would not tolerate such | | | | tolerated. This policy should also state the |
| comments.Some women report that suggestive | | | | ramifications of any violations. Hard copies |
| sexual comments are sometimes used | | | | of the company policy should be distributed |
| (consciously or unconsciously) as negotiating | | | | not only internally but also to customers and |
| tools in an attempt to throw a woman off her | | | | suppliers. A copy of the policy should be |
| guard. Women must be prepared for this and | | | | available to all employees and visibly posted |
| develop the ability to keep control and not | | | | in work and rest areas. The company should |
| show anger or other emotion. Some tactics | | | | have training programs for its management |
| women have used successfully to respond to | | | | staff and its employees on a regular basis. |
| such situations include: giving a polite | | | | |
| verbal reprimand to remind your counterparts | | | | If you are in management, you can play a key |
| that you are conducting a business session; | | | | role. Do not overlook or refuse to |
| suggesting a break while stating the | | | | acknowledge that problems can occur in other |
| negotiation has obviously gotten off track; | | | | countries, because this will only help |
| or ending the negotiation in its entirety to | | | | reinforce their acceptance. If one of your |
| show absolute intolerance and | | | | traveling staff is harassed, it will |
| disapproval.Gender Issues in EuropeMost women | | | | interfere with the productivity of your |
| in Europe are still battling the glass | | | | business dealings. Harassment also violates |
| ceiling even more than women in the U.S. | | | | U.S. law. It is frustrating for an individual |
| There are fewer women in upper management and | | | | who has faced sexual harassment to work with |
| more hierarchical issues with which to | | | | or for staff who do not understand the |
| grapple. Furthermore, European women are | | | | seriousness of the offense, or travel with a |
| still expected to handle all responsibilities | | | | manager who does not speak or act on behalf |
| relating to home and family. This interferes | | | | of employees.Individual ResponsibilityPrepare |
| with their ability to hold down a job unless | | | | yourself for the possibility of encountering |
| they are wealthy enough to have hired help at | | | | sexual harassment when you travel abroad. |
| home. Shopping hours are still not convenient | | | | When you are visiting countries that are |
| for working women and day care is often not | | | | male-dominated and still have little |
| available. Younger women do not have the role | | | | awareness of women's rights, your actions may |
| models of older women in the business world, | | | | actually have a greater impact on foreign men |
| so they must often work harder to establish | | | | than written policies. In these situations, |
| credibility and to break into the upper ranks | | | | men won't expect women to assert themselves, |
| of business. Derogatory comments about women | | | | and if you strongly voice your disapproval of |
| appear to be more accepted by the public. For | | | | inappropriate behavior, these men will often |
| example, in England the derogatory terms | | | | back down. Also, most businessmen would not |
| "cow" and "bird" are widely used, even on TV, | | | | want to lose a business deal by offending |
| and in films, to refer to women. In France | | | | someone.Most women report that while their |
| and Italy it is not unusual for males to | | | | business days go smoothly, the after-hours |
| touch women inappropriately.Gender Issues in | | | | socializing that occurs in some countries can |
| AsiaAsian culture has traditionally placed | | | | become a challenge. It is still common, for |
| more value on male offspring and on the male | | | | example, for Asian men to go out drinking |
| roles of ruler, protector, cultivator, and | | | | after work. While drinking, they feel more |
| breadwinner. The male is out in the world, | | | | comfortable about voicing their inner |
| while the female remains at home to manage | | | | feelings. If you are the lone woman in your |
| the household and raise the children. Asian | | | | group, you may become the target for |
| males have consequently been in a dominant | | | | questions that would not be asked during |
| position over Asian women and have largely | | | | working hours. In Asia, drinking excuses what |
| controlled their means of | | | | Americans may consider appallingly |
| livelihood.Centuries ago male philosophers, | | | | inappropriate behavior. While the American |
| China's elite, developed precepts of behavior | | | | may remain upset if he or she feels anything |
| -- notably passivity and obedience -- that | | | | untoward has occurred during an evening, the |
| women were expected, or forced, to follow. | | | | incident is generally ignored by the Asian |
| Women were subordinated to their fathers, | | | | participants the next day as they carry on |
| brothers, husbands, and even sons. | | | | with business as usual. In Latin America, |
| Historically, marriages in Asia were arranged | | | | women are often the targets of flattering |
| not for love, but for family connections. The | | | | comments about their appearance by Latin |
| bride usually lived under the domination of | | | | American men, sometimes to the point that it |
| the husband's mother and frequently faced | | | | feels intrusive to the women.Should you be |
| competition from secondary wives and | | | | subjected to what you feel is sexual |
| concubines. Her husband was allowed to | | | | harassment, remain calm and professional. |
| repudiate his wife, especially if she did not | | | | This attitude will have much more impact than |
| produce a male heir. If the husband died, the | | | | if you become upset or angry. In many cases |
| wife could not easily remarry. She had no | | | | men may have been trying to incite you or |
| economic independence, was frequently | | | | test your resilience. In most cases you can |
| illiterate, and had no property rights. | | | | either respond with a calm statement of |
| Infanticide limited the number of female | | | | disapproval, or you can show your disapproval |
| children.Today, Asian countries continue to | | | | by remaining silent. If you are in a |
| be patriarchal societies with strong | | | | situation that has become particularly |
| traditions. When a woman marries, she | | | | unpleasant, you can always leave.If you are |
| generally joins her husband's family, and her | | | | traveling overseas on business and have been |
| ties with her own family weaken. The couple | | | | accosted, you are still protected as an |
| either lives with the husband's family or, as | | | | employee of an U.S. firm, and should take |
| is occurring more frequently, on its own. If | | | | action in accordance with your firm's sexual |
| there is a divorce, the father often gets | | | | harassment policy. It is always best to |
| custody of the children. Divorce is | | | | report the incident rather than being passive |
| considered shameful and is rarely discussed. | | | | and keeping it to yourself. This way, if the |
| Divorce rates, which used to be very low in | | | | perpetrator is an employee of your firm, he |
| East Asia, are growing however, as women | | | | can be corrected or reprimanded, and if he is |
| become more economically independent.There is | | | | employed by another firm, at least your |
| an old Chinese saying: "Women are the moon | | | | executives will be aware of the issue when |
| reflecting the sunlight," meaning women | | | | deciding whether to enter further business |
| reflect the glow of men. Young, educated East | | | | dealings with that company.Be Prepared- If |
| Asian women increasingly reject this old | | | | you are single, avoid talking about your |
| saying. They emphasize their individuality, | | | | personal lifestyle or dating, as these |
| independence, personal responsibility, hard | | | | subjects can lead to uncomfortable |
| work, and careers, even as they try to | | | | conversations. In particular, do not discuss |
| maintain their femininity. Yet the few recent | | | | your marital situation if you are divorced or |
| studies of Asian women indicate that many | | | | living with someone.- If you feel that a |
| still feel inferior to men and worry about | | | | conversation is inappropriate, don't respond. |
| managing a career and a family. Job | | | | Just change the subject.- Avoid situations |
| discrimination is still practiced in Asia. | | | | where any unwanted intimacy may be initiated, |
| "Family connections" are very important in | | | | such as dinners for two.- Be careful that |
| obtaining desirable jobs. Stereotyping women | | | | your actions cannot be interpreted as being |
| as the weaker, less capable sex still | | | | either aggressive or flirtatious.- If your |
| prevails.Gender Issues in Latin AmericaThe | | | | international hosts insist on opening doors |
| concept of "machismo" is important in Mexico | | | | for you or holding your chair at the dining |
| and other Latin American countries, although | | | | table, graciously allow them do so. Remember |
| American businesswomen will encounter more | | | | they are trying to respond appropriately when |
| macho attitudes in Mexico than in any other a | | | | working with women.- Avoid eating or drinking |
| part of Latin America. The word "macho" does | | | | alone in strange restaurants, since you may |
| not carry a negative connotation in Mexico, | | | | be viewed as a pick-up target. Ask your hotel |
| as it does in the U.S. For a Mexican, the | | | | concierge for restaurant |
| word "macho" implies strength, valor, | | | | recommendations.Responding to Uncomfortable |
| self-confidence and masculinity, which are | | | | QuestionsWhen you are asked a question you |
| all considered positive qualities. There is | | | | consider uncomfortable or inappropriate, use |
| also an underlying assumption in the culture | | | | short, standard answers to discourage further |
| that men are supposed to be stronger, braver, | | | | questioning. For example, many women are |
| wiser and more sexually knowledgeable than | | | | asked their marital status, their age, and, |
| women. Displays of machismo include: showing | | | | if married, about dual careers. While these |
| courage in a bullring, risk-taking, taking | | | | questions may be unusual, they are often more |
| part in bar room confrontations, and | | | | commonly asked in foreign countries as a form |
| displaying sexual prowess by bragging about | | | | of interest about you, a woman who may be |
| sexual conquests or by having a large family. | | | | very different than women in their own |
| To be macho also requires the repudiation of | | | | country. You can answer these in a polite |
| all characteristics considered feminine, such | | | | manner while suggesting that the questions |
| as unselfishness, kindness, frankness and | | | | are not appropriate by giving answers such as |
| truthfulness. | | | | "My career keeps me very busy," or "I am |
| | | | younger than I look." Ignoring the question |
| The proof of a man's maleness in this | | | | and changing the subject is a simple way of |
| culture is his ability to completely dominate | | | | redirecting the conversation. If the |
| his wife and his children and to have sexual | | | | questions are more direct and aggressive and |
| relations with any woman he desires. A double | | | | sexual in nature, be assertive and answer, |
| moral standard exists between the fidelity | | | | "This is not an appropriate question to ask," |
| expectations placed upon males and females in | | | | or, if the questioner continues to be |
| Mexico and Latin America. A woman's primary | | | | uncooperative, try to embarrass him by |
| obligation is to make a home and procreate; | | | | telling another group member about your |
| she is dedicated to a life of service and no | | | | discomfort. Silence can also be very |
| infidelity on her part is tolerated. However, | | | | effective.Strategies for responding to |
| men who maintain mistresses are within their | | | | uncomfortable questions also include:- You |
| legal rights as long as they are discreet | | | | may be asked seemingly intrusive questions |
| about their affairs. A man can frequently | | | | about your marital status and whether or not |
| divorce his wife if she commits adultery, but | | | | you have children. Prepare some stock answers |
| the wife can only divorce her husband if the | | | | or change the topic of conversation to one |
| act took place in their home.Macho men will | | | | that is more comfortable for you.- You might |
| often express an air of superiority when it | | | | be invited to a bar after dinner. Whether or |
| comes to dealing with American women in | | | | not you want to attend is your choice. It's |
| business. They may be overly polite and | | | | not impolite to say no, giving jet lag or |
| attentive to a woman, but in a patronizing | | | | business commitments such as faxes, e-mails, |
| way. Machismo may be expressed in terms of | | | | or phone calls as an excuse.- If your host |
| canceled, forgotten, or ignored meetings, and | | | | exhibits inappropriate behavior, inform him |
| other frustrations and delays. Businesswomen, | | | | that you are uncomfortable and that you want |
| especially when traveling alone, should | | | | him to stop.- f you are traveling |
| expect a high likelihood of unwelcome sexual | | | | with a team, have other team members join you |
| advances. Examples of this include: overly | | | | in expressing dissatisfaction with the |
| long eye contact, the pressing of legs under | | | | situation. This will usually end the unwanted |
| the table, and an overemphasis on how | | | | behavior, since to continue it will cause bad |
| appealing a woman looks. Most businesswomen | | | | feelings.- If you are in a social setting |
| advise against entertaining a man alone. | | | | that is becoming uncomfortable, inform your |
| Instead, they suggest that a group be | | | | host that you are uncomfortable and would |
| arranged. They also emphasize that a woman | | | | like to leave. Politely request that he call |
| should establish herself as a businesswoman | | | | you a taxi. If he does not cooperate, ask the |
| even at her hotel, and dress conservatively | | | | establishment's staff to call one for |
| in business suits.Strategies for CopingIt is | | | | you.- If no action is taken, get ready to |
| important for you, your team, and your | | | | leave and state the reasons you are leaving. |
| managers to understand the strategies you | | | | There is no reason to stay in a situation |
| should pursue if you find yourself in a | | | | that is uncomfortable for you.- An employee |
| compromising situation. Managers should be | | | | who desires to leave while his or her |
| well-versed on their responsibilities in | | | | colleagues desire to stay should do so and |
| cases where women have been harassed, and | | | | not feel badly about "breaking up the fun. |
| they should understand how to act in | | | | |