A survey of more than 4,000 Chinese professionals suggests provocative dress is regarded as a major cause of sexual harassment in the office, with bosses blamed for most incidents.

In the online survey, conducted by www.zhaopin.com, a domestic job-hunting website, 43.3 per cent of respondents thought sexual harassment was widespread in work places, while 54 per cent said it happened occasionally.

Nearly 90 per cent thought that women who dress in a provocative manner were inviting harassment.

Summer was considered by 76 per cent of the respondents as the season in which harassment happens the most.

The survey also reveals that more men favour attractive clothes on women than women themselves. Nearly 47 per cent of men said they were pleased to see women dress provocatively, while the figure was 14.7 per cent for female respondents.

"I should say the way a woman dresses and acts is a cause of sexual harassment, but the main reason for such action is that the man wants to indulge," said Jerry He, a Shanghai white-collar worker.

"But not all men are provoked by cute-looking women," he added.

Questions about the proper office dress code were also part of the survey. About 40 per cent reported they have to wear formal clothes in the office, while more than 25 per cent have no such restrictions.

The remaining respondents said their office environments were more flexible, although they would not wear short pants.

Another Shanghai white-collar worker, called Xu Qian, said she loves to wear fashionable T-shirts that reveal her back in the office, adding she had never experienced any harassment before.

"I agree that provocative dress might provoke harassment sometimes, but I would more agree that people have the freedom to choose what to wear," she said.

"I know my male colleagues welcome women who wear provocative attire."

Most respondents believe wearing conservative clothes could help female employers avoid sexual harassment and better protect their safety.

About 45 per cent supposed bosses to be the main source of sexual harassment in the office, followed by colleagues, clients and underlings.

Yu Xia, a PR clerk from Zhaopin.com, said their survey result suggests many professionals are wary of their superiors.

More than 43 per cent said they would denounce those who harassed them, while 34 per cent would lodge a complaint and 10 per cent would keep silent.

(China Daily 09/07/2006 page3)