10 Facts & Stats About Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
While the height of the #MeToo era has quieted down, sexual harassment has not stopped. Many people continue to experience harassment every day, including at their place of work, so there is a need to continue highlighting its prevalence. By being aware of the following statistics, we can continue to improve workplace policies and hold harassers accountable.
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1. The restaurant industry, or “accommodation and food services”, is the industry with the highest rates of reported sexual harassment
The EEOC reports that 25% of all claims come from the service industry.
In the hospitality industry, sexual harassment can stem from multiple parties - coworkers, managers, and customers. The “customer is always right” attitude can unfortunately lead to customers taking advantage of staff. Servers’ reliance on tips is another factor that can lead to the dismissal of harassment from customers. Not only that but a reported 75% of sexual harassment victims experience retaliation after reporting the incident, which discourages others to come forward.
One silver lining is that restaurant owners can be held responsible for customer harassment. Employers have a duty to protect their employees from harm, as proven in a 1998 case against Pizza Hut. Unfortunately, there are still barriers to reporting the harassment and filing a lawsuit, such as the financial burden and fear of retaliation.
2. The majority of sexual harassment incidents go unreported.
The EEOC estimates that only 6-13% of sexual harassment incidents are reported. In addition, a 2019 survey by the Harassment-Free Workplace Project found that 70% of those who experienced sexual harassment in the workplace did not report it. This hesitation to report is often due to fear of retaliation, fear of not being believed, or uncertainty about what constitutes harassment.
Unfortunately, if harassment goes unreported, nothing can be done. Reporting is key.
3. Washington D.C. has the highest rate of sexual harassment claims of all the United States
Although other states have higher overall numbers of harassment reports, D.C. takes the lead when taking population into account. Over a 25-year period, the EEOC received 1,601 sexual harassment reports from Washington D.C., where the average population is 668,791, giving it a rate of 239.4.
In contrast, Massachusetts had the lowest rate of sexual harassment reports with a rate of 18.57 over the same year period.
4. Approximately one-third of women will experience sexual harassment in the workplace.
According to a 2019 study, 34% of women reported having experienced sexual harassment at work. This number is alarmingly high and highlights the need for increased awareness and action on this issue. Sexual harassment towards women in the workplace often leads to employees quitting or not rising into leadership positions, ultimately stunting women’s career growth.
5. Sexual harassment can have a significant impact on mental health.
According to a 2017 study by the National Women's Law Center, victims of sexual harassment in the workplace are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems. Psychologists say that workplace harassment can even lead to post-traumatic stress disorder.
6. Workplace policies and procedures are crucial in addressing and preventing sexual harassment.
If an employer provides clear guidelines for how to report sexual harassment, that’s a great first step in encouraging employees to come forward. What’s even better is having clear guidelines that prohibit retaliation. The more that people feel their employers are on their side, the more comfortable they will feel speaking up.
7. Overall, sexual harassment reports to the EEOC are decreasing.
We don’t know why, but keep in mind, it’s just the reports that are decreasing. This doesn’t tell us whether sexual harassment itself is decreasing – people may just be afraid to come forward. From 1997 to 2021, sexual harassment reports to the EEOC decreased by over half.
8. Men get sexually harassed at work too.
When most people think of sexual harassment, they often picture a female victim. Although the majority of victims are indeed women, men also experience sexual harassment at work. Many times, a male employee may not even be aware of what constitutes harassment, especially if they haven’t encountered it before. According to a survey, 10% of male employees report experiencing sexual harassment at work.
9. Every state has their own time limit on reporting sexual harassment.
It can be difficult for victims to report harassment right away. After experiencing sexual harassment, many victims experience feelings of shame, confusion, guilt, or depression. While it’s certainly important for victims to take care of their mental health after a serious incident, it’s also good to keep in mind that there’s a time limit on reporting harassment.
The time limit, or statute of limitations, differs by state. You can find your state’s statute of limitations here.
10. It’s illegal for your employer to retaliate against you after reporting sexual harassment.
Despite being illegal, many employers do unfortunately retaliate against employees after they report sexual harassment. Retaliation can include things like having your hours reduced, having your responsibilities diminished, having your pay decreased, or even being terminated.
A shocking 72% of employees who reported sexual harassment experienced some form of retaliation at work, according to a study by the National Women’s Law Center. This highlights the economic impact of sexual harassment, which is not talked about enough. Retaliation can really impede an employee’s career growth, and it’s a deterrent to report harassment in the future.
Author Profile: Sharon Feldman
Sharon Feldman is a writer specializing in workplace laws and employee rights. When not at her computer, Sharon can be found exploring the outdoors with her dog.
