Over the past year, the #MeToo movement has shed a light on the harmful and toxic work environments that are still prevalent today. We have heard countless stories of women speaking out against the harassment they have faced at the hands of powerful men.
What started as a whistleblower moment for Hollywood and the entertainment industry has spread to include various sectors and fields. From the tech startup world to healthcare and from STEM to hospitality.
Sexual harassment and misconduct in the workplace are widespread. But it’s important to remember that while the focus has been on female victims, men are also being affected.
A CNBC poll in December found that 10% of US men reported being victims of sexual harassment or sexual misconduct at work.
Nearly one in five, about 17% of complaints filed with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) come from men. This number has remained consistent over the last decade.
But in reality, the number of men facing sexual harassment at work could be a lot higher. According to Ernie Haffner, an attorney adviser in the Title VII division of legal counsel for the EEOC, men are often embarrassed to report ill-treatment or they fear no one will believe them. “There’s a stereotype that men should not be bothered by it,” he said.
It’s clear that workplace attitudes need to change so that men are more comfortable speaking out about the injustices that they are facing.
Subscribe to our mailing list
