Gibson, Kirsty Anne2024-06-272024-06-272023Gibson, Kirsty Anne . (2023). Critical analysis of harassment in the changing workplace: how the courts developed the definition of sexual harassment and the parameters of the employer's responsibility in curbing this problem [Master’s dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg]. WireDSpace. https://hdl.handle.net/10539/38769https://hdl.handle.net/10539/38769Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Laws by Coursework and Research Report at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023The definition of the workplace is changing as more employee's start to work remotely. This change in the workplace will affect the manner in which employees communicate and engage with one another. It will also change the manner in which employees are harassed within the work environment. Sexual harassment has been regulated in South Africa for over 20 years in Codes of Good Practice. The regulations define sexual harassment and indicate the obligations of the employer to take steps to prevent the conduct within its workplace. In addition to the Codes of Good Practice, the courts have continuously developed the definition of sexual harassment. Through the development by the courts, the definition of sexual harassment remains current and in line with international standards. However, important factors are not always given the same weight by judges which has led to inconsistent decisions by the courts. The definition of sexual harassment and the manner in which the court applies the definition is analysed in this thesis and compared to recent decisions in the Netherlands. The employer’s responsibility to prevent sexual harassment is regulated by the Employment Equity Act, 55 of 1998. The court's findings on whether an employer is liable for failing to prevent sexual harassment has also been developed by the courts. Through the court decisions, the obligations of the employer have been advanced and clarified. This thesis looks at the obligation of the employer to curb sexual harassment in the workplace and what further steps employers can take to assist victims who report this conducten© 2023 University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.Sexual harassmentChanging workplaceEmployer's responsibilityDefinition of sexual harassmentUCTDSDG-8: Decent work and economic growthDissertationUniversity of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg