The All College Hour Speaker series featured Geneseo assistant professor of Mathematics Katelynn Kochalski on Feb. 19. She delivered her presentation on the topic of sexual harassment in the STEM working field and spoke about her hope to make the workplace a safer environment for everyone.
Because of sexual harassment misconduct, the STEM field has been progressing at a much lower rate because women are being forced out of the workforce. It is critical that people should not only be informed of the signs of misconduct around their environment but also learn how to respond to those acts and prevent them for future endeavors.
“We are progressing at a much lower rate because we are forcing women out of the workforce because [they are] in an uncomfortable environment,” Kochalski said. “People performing any risk of harassment need to know that there is always a risk involved.”
The professor went on to inform audience members that in today’s society sexual harassment claims are depicted on the platform of having proof that an act occurred. While having proof helps, people should also learn how to further prevent these incidents from happening so that work environments can promote greater safety for their employees.
“We need to make sure to focus on behavioral changes,” Kochalski added. “Respect will trickle over what we are talking about in hopes of establishing a healthy environment. The climate is the single biggest predictor of the said environment.”
The workplace environment sets the tone for the behavior that is conducted. A loose environment typically implies more leniently enforced codes of conduct, which means that the probability of incidents increases.
Another factor in the workplace that has previously resulted in misconduct is the hierarchy structure established in the said business. Kochalski advised that the workplace should focus on creating mentor relationships and eliminate the hierarchal interrelationships.
One of the major points that Kochalski wanted to convey to the audience is that bystanders need to start reporting these incidents so that the behavior is not repeated. She acknowledged that the victim does not want to get the perpetrator in trouble, but she said that no matter what the act itself needs to end.
The professor’s main objective was to spread awareness about different ways to make the workplace a safe place for all of workers.