Researchers discuss relationships in the workplace at the 22nd edition of FISP

For another year, Fundacentro was present at the 22nd International Safety and Protection Fair (FISP). The second day, October 4th, featured the participation of sociologist Juliana Andrade Oliveira, who addressed the topic “Prevention of gender discrimination and sexual harassment at work,” researcher Maria Cristina Gonzaga, who spoke about “Protection of workers during pineapple cultivation against venomous snake bites,” and journalist Cristiane Reimberg, who highlighted “Suffering and pleasure at work.”.

“Moral harassment and sexual harassment at work are phenomena of violence to be understood within the context of work organization,” informs Juliana Andrade Oliveira in her lecture at the institution's booth.

The sociologist and technologist from Fundacentro in São Paulo highlights the existence of a gap between prescribed and actual work. In such cases, unforeseen events and unstable situations can occur during the execution of the work.

Juliana points out that harassment occurs within the organization of work. “Harassment draws inspiration from how workers can be socially discriminated against,” she states. She adds that, negatively, differential treatment can occur due to one's choice of religion, race/color, sexual orientation, or gender/sex.

These discriminations trigger a series of health problems which include, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO), psychological and physical symptoms.

Gender division of labor

“For this fair to take place, a series of tasks is required, divided among everyone who makes up the event's schedule. Some tasks are assigned to women, and generally the leadership tasks are for men, explains the sociologist.

In contrast, Juliana points out that women do more housework than men—that is, they devote 18.1 hours per week to it, while men devote 10.5 hours per week. “Women devote 73% more time to these tasks than men; furthermore, many put their careers on hold to care for a family member. From childhood, they are trained to care for others,” the technologist points out.

It also reports that the profession of caregiver is growing every day. However, because this activity is well-paid, it ends up attracting men. On the other hand, women have been occupying positions previously held only by men. “Women are working on construction sites, as stevedores, and in metallurgy,” she points out.

According to the National Household Sample Survey (PNAD), 39.1% of management positions are held by women. “For the most part, there is no culture of gender equality, and as a result, women are not well received in management positions,” Juliana points out.

Sexual harassment

According to the ILO, sexual harassment creates inequalities and gives the harasser a sense of power in the workplace. Victims, on the other hand, are unable to fully carry out their activities, do not return to work, and emotional symptoms are inevitable.

“Forms of harassment can emerge through verbal means, an inappropriate environment, attitudes, and gestures,” emphasizes the sociologist. In her own Sung Booklet is not a compliment: Campaign against sexual harassment and gender oppression, it also emphasizes that victims are “fragile, feel guilty, suffer from insomnia, tension, anger, and depression, as well as biological symptoms such as headaches, muscle aches, nausea, high blood pressure, weight changes, and fatigue. In addition, sexual harassment can lead to job loss, since most of the time women are forced to resign.”

Juliana highlights that according to Law No. 10,224, Article 216 of the Penal Code, sexual harassment is a crime. The ILO points out that many cases of sexual harassment are not investigated. Therefore, regardless of gender, it is essential that the fight against sexual harassment is everyone's battle.

CIPA member Margareth Teixeira Leite, from the São Paulo City Council, who was in the audience, was surprised to learn that the Internal Commission for Accident Prevention (CIPA) can also act as an agent to help victims of bullying or sexual harassment. “Harassment leaves horrible scars on the victim. Therefore, it is important that CIPA can work together with the company's human resources department to clarify the situation and support the victim. Sociologist Juliana's lecture was important for us to better understand the subject and know what measures we should take in these cases,” states Margareth.

October 17 is remembered as the National Day of Fight against Moral and Sexual Harassment; on this day, campaigns and activities are held to discuss and raise awareness about the topic among people.

The sociologist stresses that it is necessary to change a company's organizational culture; this initiative will homogeneously place gender diversity in leadership positions; that boards of directors should not condone the harasser; information campaigns on the forms of harassment; communication channels so that the victim can report and receive support; and prompt action in cases where psychological or sexual harassment is confirmed.

Venomous animals in pineapple plantations

“An armadillo burrow is a place where snakes lodge,” informs Fundacentro researcher Maria Cristina Gonzaga from the Ergonomics Service.

Generally, accidents involving venomous animals occur in rural areas, according to information from the World Health Organization (WHO). “Minas Gerais is the state where accidents involving jararacussu and other venomous snakes occur the most,” Cristina reports.

In her doctoral thesis, Cristina Gonzaga states that personal protective equipment, when provided, does not adequately protect against mechanical hazards caused by snakes.

It emphasizes that Ordinance No. 452/2014 establishes technical standards for risks of mechanical origin. In your research, the tests on gloves, boots, arm guards, and leg guards were evaluated through snake attack tests.

Journalist Cristiane Reimberg from the Social Communication Advisory Office (ACS) published a subject Regarding the doctoral thesis of researcher Maria Cristina. The researcher also has other publications: Cultivo do abacaxi, Saúde dos trabalhadores, Livro e relatório, and Fundacentro e COMTAG.

Suffering and pleasure in the work environment

A work environment can provide both pleasure and suffering; in such cases, the organization of work in any profession is important.

To talk about this, the journalist Cristiane Reimberg discusses “Suffering and Pleasure in the Work Environment,” which was the subject of her research doctoral thesis.

The audience present at her lecture was composed of safety engineers and technicians, and nurses; given this, the journalist comments that from the moment the professional manages to avoid an accident, this provides pleasure to the worker.

On the other hand, the impact of work-related accidents, such as a worker losing a hand, can cause them to develop depression or some mental disorder. Likewise, workers who develop Repetitive Strain Injuries/Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (RSI/WMSD) are led to suffering.

“The clash between ideas and the subject's needs with the organization of work also triggers suffering,” Reimberg reports.

Interpreting a sentence by psychiatrist Christopher Dejours, the journalist explains that “everything I learn at work will be taken into our lives!”, and adds that the worker will have a perspective on the issues learned during their development in work activity.

Cristiane mentions that telemarketing is a very stressful profession. In the civil construction sector, workers are portrayed as beings who have no fear, since their activities can present risks of falls (working at heights), cave-ins, and electric shocks.

Another profession pointed out by Reimberg involves the precarization of journalists“ work. ”The interviewed journalists presented work-related symptoms, such as insomnia, genital infection, headache, wrist pain, burnout syndrome, presenteeism, and others," Reimberg describes.

Some civil servants visited the Fair and, especially, the Fundacentro booth. The institution's retired researcher, Jófilo Moreira Lima, who highlighted the importance of Fundacentro's participation in events promoting occupational safety and health. As well as civil servants Arline Abel Arcuri and Jorge Marques Pontes.

Source: Fundacentro