Studies over the years have shown that sexual harassment in the workplace is underreported. A significant percentage of cases go unreported, which leads to harmful behaviors going unchecked, resulting in hostile work environments.
So, why do some victims fail to report sexual harassment at work?
Fear of retaliation
It’s not uncommon for employees to not report sexual harassment because of a fear of retaliation from their company, especially if the harasser is a senior. They may believe they will be demoted, transferred to an unfavorable location/duties, excluded from opportunities, receive negative performance reviews or be dismissed.
A victim may also fear retaliation from colleagues. For instance, not being invited to social events that offer opportunities for career growth.
Fewer employment opportunities
When an employee is faced with fewer employment opportunities, they may let sexual harassment conduct slide. For instance, sexual harassment cases are less reported when the labor market is weak. An employee may be more willing to tolerate sexual harassment behaviors as opposed to facing the reality of being unable to secure a job after leaving their current one.
Hyper-masculine environments
A masculine culture contributes to the underreporting of sexual harassment in the workplace. Women who work in hyper-masculine environments may feel pressured to play along with sexual jokes and remarks to be seen as part of the “boys’ club.” Men in these work environments can also be more reluctant to report sexual harassment because they don’t want to be viewed as vulnerable or not part of the team. This culture can worsen if people in higher positions are also participating in normalizing harassment.
Sexual harassment can have negative effects on an employee. If you have been subjected to this harassment, consider seeking legal guidance to understand your options.