How Seriously are Businesses Taking Workplace Sexual Harassment?

A recent study by Resume Now of sexual harassment in the workplace unearthed some disturbing data.

For example, out of 785 American workers, 34%, 266 people, agreed with the statement:

“Women are being too sensitive about the 'sexual harassment’ topic."

That is just one telling data point, but it represents a disturbing theme: sexual harassment is not being taken seriously enough.

In fact, sexual harassment is a rampant workplace problem. And this study confirms it.

More than half of the survey respondents reported having experienced sexual harassment at work. Women are still the main targets of sexual harassment. 62% of women said they’d been sexually harassed, vs. 48% of men.

Clearly, despite numerous high-profile cases, sexual harassment is still prevalent. The survey participants had endured a range of sexual harassment acts.

The top three:

• Sexual comments or innuendos—43%
• Sexual comments regarding the body—43%
• Being called pet names or demeaning names (such as “baby,” “boy,” “honey,” “hunk,” etc.)—33%

The main perpetrator of sexual harassment for all respondents was “a colleague”—(51%).

Followed by:

• 40%—Senior employee
• 24%—Customer
• 24%—Boss
• 17%—C-suite executive

Those who experienced sexual harassment experienced symptoms, such as emotional exhaustion, anxiety and sleep problems, to name a few.

One such respondent reported what she had endured:

The number of victims is disturbing.

Victims of sexual harassment shared what symptoms they experienced as a result.

Survey takers had experienced a wide range of sexual harassment, from obscene comments to attempted rape. Most of the victims were women.

Victims of sexual harassment at work were given the floor to describe what had occurred.

Sadly, half of those who’d been brave enough to complain about an incident of sexual harassment felt they had been fired as a result.

67% had reported sexual harassment. But, just 47% felt that their complaint had been taken seriously.

Some respondents admitted they had second-guessed their past actions. They weren’t sure if they’d sexually harassed an employee at some point.

The survey respondents’ attitudes towards sexual harassment were examined. A significant proportion held sexist ideas.