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🔥 Under the glare of harassment on high seas

Workplace harassment? Oh, some think it's just another day in the life of "toughening up". Surprisingly, many perpetrators don't even realize they're the villains in someone else's story. Some misinterpret others' actions as threatening, while others might be on a misplaced quest for "justice". The worst part? They often don't even know they're crossing boundaries.

The world of cruise ships isn’t free from these waves either. But here's the catch: The ship-world has its unique, comprehensive harassment policies. Policies so blatantly spelled out that even the tiniest fish in the sea knows it by heart. These policies, emphasized and re-emphasized, are something like:

“...is dedicated to fostering an environment where crew members flourish with dignity and respect. No space for offensive antics or discriminatory harassment.”

Yet, isn't it oddly amusing how these very companies sometimes fail to recognize their management's toxicity as harassment?

When I first heard terms like "bullying" and "offensive behavior" being banned, I was gob smacked. Isn’t good behavior supposed to be basic human decorum? But turns out, it's not as common as we'd hope. In contrast to land companies, the maritime ones don’t shy away from tackling the harassment bull by its horns.

And me? Well, my journey from naivety to enlightenment was a roller coaster. I was already familiar with overt harassment, like threats or physical violence. But gossip as harassment? News to me!

Joining as an HR newbie in the cruise industry, my learning curve was steep. Enter my mentor - a dynamo of intelligence, grace, and experience. She ushered me into the intricate alleys of what counts as harassment and what doesn’t. (But, more tales on that later.)

Now, my training in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) gave me a superpower – to articulate, to push back, to assert. Let me illustrate with a Bosun story, one that still sends chills down my spine.

Bosuns, with their 2-stripe officer status from the Deck department, often walk around with an air of authority. Some, unfortunately, let this "prestige" intoxicate them. One such Bosun used his stature and resonant voice as weapons.

I vividly recall a day in the mess. His menacing posture towering over a trembling crew member. The scene? An officer mess filled with "powerful" figures, none willing to intervene, except yours truly. As I took my stance, two brave souls joined me. The confrontation was explosive. His eyes radiated a venomous pleasure from the intimidation, but my resolve remained unbroken. Two of us standing firm against his escalating menace till he retracted.

Following this altercation, using the proper channels, I ensured he faced consequences.

Message to all: If you find yourself under the smothering shadow of harassment, SPEAK OUT! Silence only fuels the tormentor. Rise, rally, and revolt.

The harassed girl? She emerged from her ordeal like a phoenix. Today, she stands tall, protecting others and working for a brighter future for her family.

In the high seas or on solid ground, let’s vow to drown the tide of harassment. 🔥🌊🚢

 

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