Has the Tech Industry (and the Workplace) Improved?
When the topic of sexual harassment is brought up in the workplace, it is not uncommon for people to react in different ways. Some people make jokes about their company’s sexual harassment policies. Others are uncomfortable even discussing anything to do with sex or sexual content in the workplace, so they remain quiet.
The Truth About Sexual Harassment
Regardless of how a person feels about sexual harassment workplace policies and topics, one thing is for certain: Sexual harassment occurs in the workplace regularly.
One industry where it has remained hidden under the radar for years is the tech industry. The lid had been blown off one of the biggest secrets the industry tried to keep under wraps, which is that sexual harassment was, and still is, prevalent in the industry. This is largely due to the field being dominated by men.
The sordid details of sexual harassment in this industry had been brought to the public eye by several lawsuits filed by wrongful termination lawyers and nationalized news coverages of several women who worked for various tech firms in Silicon Valley.
History of Sexual Harassment in Tech Industry
Back in January 2016, several of the industry’s leading women collaborated on a survey about sexual harassment, aptly named, “Elephant in the Valley.” This survey specifically targeted women in the tech industry with more than 10 years of experience and focused on those working in Silicon Valley or the California Bay Area.
Based upon the results of over 200 respondents, about 60% reported unwanted sexual advances, of which approximately 65% were made by their supervisors or upper management. 30% of the respondents reported they feared for their safety in the workplace. In addition, the survey discovered almost 70% of women never reported being sexually harassed, simply because they did not want to have it affect their career or wanted to forget the incident ever occurred.
Further, of those who did report it to their company’s HR departments, 29% ended up signing non-disparagement agreements, which are legally binding agreements that prevent employees from speaking to the press or general public about the harassment and their employer.
Beyond the Office
Unfortunately, sexual harassment extends well beyond the workplace, with 90% of the respondents reporting witnessing their coworkers engaging in sexist behaviors at tradeshows, conferences, and other industry events, as well as outside of work.
While women are typically the recipients of sexual harassment in the workplace, some incidents involve men. In fact, out of the more than 7,500 cases filed with the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) in 2012, 17.8% of the victims were men. However, most men typically are embarrassed to report the harassment, so the actual incidents are believed to be much higher.
The number of cases reported to the EEOC has only grown higher since this first survey was conducted. Between FY 2018 and FY 2021, the EEOC received a total of 98,411 charges alleging harassment under any basis and 27,291 charges alleging sexual harassment.
The Forms of Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment could occur through a variety of conducts and behaviors, such as:
- Comments about your clothing
- Sexist jokes
- Inappropriate physical touching
- Making gestures or facial expressions of a sexual nature
- And more.
If you feel you have been a victim of sexual harassment in your workplace, it is important to consult with an Atlanta employment lawyer to find out your legal rights and how you should proceed in resolving the matter. These examples of harassment can be broken down into several types:
- Quid Pro Quo Harassment: This occurs when job benefits, such as promotions or raises, are contingent upon the employee submitting to sexual advances or favors.
- Hostile Work Environment: This type involves unwelcome sexual behavior or comments that create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment. It can include inappropriate jokes, comments, or physical actions.
- Verbal Harassment: This includes unwelcome comments about a person’s appearance, sexual jokes, or suggestive remarks.
- Non-Verbal Harassment: This can involve leering, making obscene gestures, or displaying sexually suggestive images or objects.
- Physical Harassment: Unwanted physical contact, such as touching, hugging, or patting, falls under this category.
- Cyber Harassment: With the rise of digital communication, harassment can also occur through emails, social media, or text messages with inappropriate content.
Contact Barrett & Farahany For Help Reporting Sexual Harassment
Whether you are still working or were wrongfully terminated, schedule a no-obligation case evaluation and consultation appointment by contacting Barrett & Farahany by calling (404) 238-7299 today.
