Workplace Harassment Victims Claim High Rate of Retaliation When They Spoke Up

Unfortunately, a large group of people have at least one or two experiences with harassment in the workplace. For some it's sexual, and for others it may be through taunting or aggression. Either way, one thing is clear: 75% of those who said they blew the whistle on their harassers stated they suffered retaliation efforts as a result.

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace. Sexual harassment can be anything from unwanted shoulder rubs to invading personal space or verbally soliciting sexual acts by a coworker. And it happens a lot more than we think.

EEOC. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or EEOC, is the government entity in charge of hearing all claims of harassment in the workplace.

Reported Events. The EEOC reported that of the 90,000 complaints that were filed in 2015, 30,000 of those were for harassment in the workplace. To further the blow, they think approximately 75% of all workplace harassment cases actually go unreported.

One in Four Women. Since the reports go highly unreported it is difficult to estimate exactly how much this is happening. On the absolute lowest and most conservative end of the spectrum, the EEOC reports that at least one in four women have experienced harassment in the workplace.

Where is it Happening? To take a better look, researchers combined efforts on multiple studies to find out just what is happening and where.

Power Trip. Researchers found the number one trigger for workplace harassment was a power trip.

Male-Dominated Industries. According to reports, women who worked in male dominated industries such as the construction industry, and women who worked for much lower paying jobs like housekeeping and waitressing were at the highest risk for experiencing some form of workplace harassment. One expert stated, "Part of what sexual harassment is is an expression of power and expression of hostility. When there aren't women to do the job, some men think women can't do the job. When there are fewer women in the workplace, they are more isolated in general."

Retaliation. According to the EEOC, studies have shown that 75% of people who reported being harassed in the workplace were treated with retaliation attempts after the allegations.

Reporting Efforts. In most cases, people were more apt to come forward in groups. If other people reported similar treatment, they found strength in numbers and were more apt to speak up themselves. The EEOC says formal reporting (or going directly to the EEOC) is the least common method for reporting.

Reporting Methods. It is reported that most who suffer workplace harassment and decide to speak up first do so by speaking with a direct supervisor or union representative. Very few go directly to the head of the company or higher.

More Women Than Men. While workplace harassment happens in both instances for men and women alike, the majority of the reported cases are women. In fact, the EEOC reports in one survey that 60% of all women admitted to being subject to sexual harassment in one form or another when they were asked about specific incidences such as jokes or sexual coercion.

Company Training. Most employers offer a mandatory annual training session for employees on harassment policies among other things. Reports show these sessions are ineffective in thwarting harassment attempts but serve merely as an insurance for the company.

The Ineffectiveness of Training. Even the EEOC has noted the ineffectiveness of workplace harassment training. "Much of the training done over the last 30 years has not worked as a prevention tool - it's been too focused on simply avoiding legal liability," their reports show.

Tailored Efforts. The EEOC states that in order for workplace training sessions to be effective for combating sexual harassment, they need to tailor the training needs to the specifics of their organization.

The Cost. Ultimately, sexual harassment costs companies millions of dollars in lost revenue and productivity. Beyond the potential risk factors for legal lawsuits if a sexual harassment event is taking place there, companies also lose morale and productivity from their employees who are involved. It is a situation that requires immediate action by all parties to put an end to it.