Sexual harassment often occurs in the workplace. In many cases, there is an imbalance of power. For instance, a manager or supervisor may harass a lower-level employee because they are in a position of authority.
However, many workers fail to report sexual harassment, or there is a significant delay before they make their report. In some cases, the harassment has been ongoing for years before they speak up. Often, one worker will bring up the issues they have been experiencing, which can encourage others to come forward with similar stories.
Why don’t they speak up immediately?
One reason workers hesitate to speak up is the fear that people won’t believe them. A victim may also worry about being blamed, even though they have done nothing wrong. They do not want to cause a scene or risk their job if they think no one will believe them or that nothing will change.
The risk to their employment is another significant factor. For example, a worker who reports harassment by the CEO of a company may fear being fired as retaliation. While such retaliation is illegal, workers may still feel concerned about losing their jobs and livelihood—especially if they are facing financial stress or living paycheck-to-paycheck.
Making a report
Although it can be daunting to speak up, workers need to understand their rights. No one deserves to endure sexual harassment on the job. Retaliation—such as cutting hours, terminating someone’s position, or blackballing them in the industry—is strictly prohibited. Workers who have experienced harassment or retaliation should be aware of the legal steps they can take to protect their rights.