Why Sexual Harassment Isn't Just an Issue for Women
Workplace harassment can affect men as well as women. As more women rise up the ranks in middle and senior management positions at work, more men are filing sexual harassment complaints. US employment law applies equally to both men and women, and it is important for victimized men to seek legal help if they’ve been affected.
Harassment is Gender Neutral
Unwanted touching or taunting in the workplace is just as damaging to men as it is to women. Outdated social stigmas may prevent men from actively seeking help. However, that all seems to be changing. The Equal Opportunity Employment Commission estimates that men file over 2,000 sexual harassment claims every year, and that number seems to be growing in the midst of the recession. Before the economic downturn, men may have easily escaped negative situations by finding another job. But with unemployment numbers only slightly below 10%, more men than ever are looking toward the law for help.
There are Many Forms of Sexual Harassment
All sexual harassment is against the law, no matter the gender of the victim. There are generally two kinds of sexual harassment situations at work: the first is a hostile working environment filled with sexual comments or touching, and the second is quid pro quo sexual harassment. The latter means that someone in authority implied that the sexual harassment is necessary to get a promotion or keep one’s job. Both types of harassment are illegal, and victimized men are eligible to seek legal remedies.
You should not have to tolerate any kind of sexual harassment in the workplace, no matter what your gender. Men may feel stigma about reporting claims or seeking out legal remedial, but an experienced employment rights attorney can walk you through the process. If you’re worried that you’ve been the victim of sexual harassment, call (888) 703-2911 to schedule an appointment with the Advocacy Center for Employment Law in San Jose.
