The impact of the amended code on the regulation of sexual harassment in the workplace

Abstract: The necessity for income and economic sustainability has propelled many South Africans to envisage entering into the labour market and making a living for themselves. What seems to be mere participation in economic activities is, for some, a risky and traumatic endeavour. For many years, some workers have found themselves juggling the onerous task of satisfying their job description and, at the same time, tolerating discrimination, bullying, violence and harassment in the workplace. Sexual harassment has been among the most common problems that plague the workplace and, women have been the most targeted and victimised. Studies have shown that inequality between women and men has been among the leading causes of sexual harassment. Consequently, regulating the workplace through a strategy targeted at dealing with unequal power relations from social and economic perspectives, would be tantamount to tackling the problem from its roots. Nevertheless, not enough has been done-South Africa has however not been ignorant to this issue. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996, Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and the Amended Code of Good Practice on Handling Sexual Harassment in the Workplace of 2005 are leading examples exhibiting how South Africa has been actively involved in attempt to combat sexual harassment...LL.M. (Labour Law