Week 9 EOC: The Apartment

This past week in class we watched the film, The Apartment. This movie was a perfect example of harassment that occurs in the workplace. "Harassment relates to unwanted and annoying actions by one or more persons, including threats or demands"( Human Resources, Quality Service & Training, Hospitality & Restaurant Marketing, Pg. 473). The first example of harassment in the film is a type of harassment called Quid Pro Quo. According to our textbook, this means "From the Latin phrase meaning “this for that”… harassment occurs when one person asks for either expressly or implied sexual favors from another person as a condition of that person’s employment or advancement or to prevent a tangible employment detriment"  (Human Resources, Quality Service & Training, Hospitality & Restaurant Marketing, Pg. 570).   One of CC Baxter's bosses uses Baxter's apartment for personal reasons. He then mentions to Baxter that as a result of this he could get a possible promotion. The second example deals with Quid Pro Quo also. Baxter’s bosses blackmail him. They begin mentioning how if he doesn’t let them use his apartment they will either fire him or take back his promotion. "An employer is automatically liable for harassment by a supervisor that results in a negative employment action, such as termination, failure to promote or hire, or loss of wages” (Human Resources, Quality Service & Training, Hospitality & Restaurant Marketing, Pg. 573).  The third example of harassment is when one of the administrator's got in the elevator girl's space without her permission. This harassment is known as hostile environment. Hostile environment "is an atmosphere that is characterized by unwanted sexually demeaning or intimidating behaviors in which a person is treated poorly or feels uncomfortable" (Human Resources, Quality Service & Training, Hospitality & Restaurant Marketing, Pg. 570). This movie shows was can really happen in real life. Some people deal with this a their workplace firsthand. If any of this does occur and they speak up about the harassment the company can face serious legal issues.