• 23
  • November
    2011

Recent statistics from a California survey reveal that sexual harassment still occurs regularly and remains a problem in the workplace. The survey states that one in four women have reported being sexually harassed in the workplace. This number is unchanged since 1992. When survey participants were asked if sexual harassment is a serious issue at the workplace, the number dropped from 88 to 64 percent, suggesting that harassment is no longer seen as a problem.

But the number of actual incidents seems to drown out people's opinion on sexual harassment. The survey showed that the number of women who have reported sexual harassment to management or HR has increased from 33 percent to 41 percent. This means that less than half of the women who are being sexually harassed are actually reporting it.

The survey shows that the number of men who believe that something they did -- even if it was inadvertently -- could have been taken as sexual harassment also dropped. In 1992, 25 percent of men believed their actions could have constituted sexual harassment, and today just 10 percent of men think they are harassing women.

One reporter recently wrote that sexual harassment can often be solved without having to report the incident. The writer stated that competent women in the workplace are quite adept at handling social situations without letting them escalate. It seems that whenever sexual harassment cases arise, the woman's career is the one at stake.

Those who complain often worry that they will be seen as troublemakers by their co-workers and management. Women who go along with this kind of behavior are often trying to fit in, without causing trouble. In reality, if you are being harassed at work, it is important to report the behavior.

Source: Forbes, "Sexual Harassment Still Happens. So What?" J. Maureen Henderson, Nov. 16, 2011