The American Club publishes the second instalment of animations on SASH Awareness to raise awareness of sexual assault and sexual harassment (SASH) onboard.
According to Club, it illustrates how such a quid pro quo situation could contribute to a hostile work environment.
Quid pro quo, or this for that, is when someone in authority may promise to grant someone an employment benefit or reward in exchange for sexual favors or threaten punishment for someone’s rejection of sexual advances or sexual favors.
In this video, a female 3rd Assistant Engineer reported onboard a ship. She completed the sign in process and stowed her belongings in the stateroom. She next reported to the Chief Engineer in his office. He welcomed her onboard and explained the watch rotation to her. The first Assistant Engineer stopped by the Chief Engineer’s office, and the Chief Engineer introduced her to the first Assistant Engineer.
He asked her if she would share her social media with them. He said that he just wanted to get to know her better. She found that request odd and said that she would have to think about it.
The next morning at the engineer’s morning meeting with the entire engineering department in the engine control room, the First Assistant Engineer approached her and again asked about her social media.
She replied “No I think that would be a good idea.”
The following day the First Assistant Engineer asked again. She again answered no.
He said: “Look I control all the work assignments and approve all the overtime hours. If you don’t want to get all the dirty jobs and want to get some overtime, you will give me access to your social media.”
She said “Okay”. Later that day she went to to the Chief Engineer in his office and told him about the event.
To remind, the US Coast Guard has released policies to provide guidance on implementation of several of the new laws. The laws aim to enhance crew safety on certain commercial vessels and to prevent and respond to sexual misconduct, which includes sexual assault and sexual harassment, and harassment within the maritime industry.
