Good communication can be as stimulating as coffee, but bad, unwanted, hostile, or coercive communication interactions can leave you feeling nauseous, vulnerable, angry, and alienated. You want to do a good job, but the incessant jokes that marginalize a group, regardless of whether you are member of that group, contribute to a hostile work environment. Your job is important to you, and you want the promotion, but you are not willing to sacrifice your dignity or sense of self-worth to get ahead. You want to be respected and heard, and yet when communication behaviors cross the line, the opposite holds true. It’s not easy to stand up for yourself and others, to make your voice heard, but this week we consider implicit and explicit messages, overt and subtle cues, and communication behaviors that should be clearly addressed as unacceptable in the workplace.

To prepare for this Discussion:

• Read the Communication Program Discussion Guidelines.
• Read “Chapter 3, Section 3 Functions in Language and Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication” in this week’s Learning Resources.
• Read the article “1 in 3 Women Has Been Sexually Harassed at Work, According to Survey” in this week’s Learning Resources.
• Think of an example of sexual harassment in the workplace or a work-related setting by a celebrity or a prominent figure that was reported in the media. You can also just share an example of a time when you or someone you know either experienced or witnessed sexual harassment in the workplace or a work-related setting.

By Day 4

Post by Day 4 a response that addresses the following:

1. Describe an incident of sexual harassment in the workplace or a work-related setting which was perpetrated by someone in power and reported in the media. You can also just share an example of a time when you or someone you know either experienced or witnessed sexual harassment in the workplace or a work-related setting. Provide a brief summary detailing the incident(s), distinguishing what verbal or nonverbal communication crossed the line and what was the outcome of it.
2. Aside from the more overt cues, identify some of the more subtle communication cues (verbal and nonverbal) that were inappropriate in the interaction you described?
3. What can we do as individuals to combat the culture of sexual harassment in our communities?

Refer to the Week 3 Discussion Rubric for specific grading elements and criteria. Your Instructor will use this grading rubric to assess your work.

Read some of your colleagues’ postings.