Katja Gillander Gådin’, Klara Persson**, Kristina Zampoukos**, Mid Sweden University
* Departement of Health Sciences
**Department of Economics, Geography, Law and Tourism
Contact : katja.gillandergadin@miun.se
Strategies to prevent sexual harassment in the hospitality workplace in Sweden
Background:
Hospitality workplaces are infamous for challenges with regard to the
psychosocial work environment, including sexual harassment (SH).
The aim was to analyze strategies to prevent sexual harassment in the hospitality
workplace
Methods:
Twenty-five employees and managers in the hotel and restaurant business were interviewed individually about their experiences of sexual harassment and what kind of strategies they use to cope, prevent and counteract sexual harassment at their work places.
Conclusions: There are several conflicting aims and contradictions inherent in this industry, e.g. in terms of profit and the expectations of service and hospitality towards guests, no matter of their behavior. There are also gendered expectations on staff that increases the risk for sexual harassment from managers, coworkers as well as guests that make preventive work more challenging than in other types of businesses
