Stereotypically, when one envisages sexual harassment in the workplace, the typical scenario that comes to mind often involves a woman subjected to unwelcome attention from a male colleague, supervisor, or employer. However, while the majority of sexual harassment cases do indeed involve female victims, an alarming surge in cases involving men being harassed by both their male and female colleagues and superiors has been observed.
Read on to learn more and contact PLBH at (800) 435-7542 for a legal consultation.
Defining Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) defines workplace sexual harassment as “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that explicitly or implicitly affects an individual’s employment, unreasonably interferes with an individual’s work performance; or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment.”
Such harassment can range from overt acts like unsolicited physical contact, coercive attempts at setting up romantic interactions, or the use of sexually derogatory pet names, to more covert actions such as making disparaging or offensive remarks about someone, exhibiting sexually explicit imagery, or continually engaging in sexual discourse.
The Increasing Incidence of Men Facing Sexual Harassment
Despite the fact that the majority of sexual harassment claims filed with the EEOC are by women, the trend of men reporting their encounters with sexual harassment has been on the rise. In the year 2021, out of 6,822 sexual harassment claims lodged with the EEOC, a notable 17.1% were filed by men.
There is an array of documented cases where male employees have received significant awards following instances of workplace sexual harassment perpetrated by female colleagues. Such incidents often involve retaliatory behavior following the rejection of sexual advances, unwarranted physical contact, and the subjecting of male employees to offensive sexual comments and jokes.
Further, the prevalence of male-on-male workplace sexual harassment claims is also increasing, particularly since a 1998 United States Supreme Court ruling that established men’s protection from workplace sexual harassment under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. These claims commonly feature unwanted sexual advances from male colleagues and supervisors, as well as sexually charged hazing that can have profoundly detrimental effects.
Understanding Why Men Often Refrain from Reporting
Accurate statistics regarding the incidence of men experiencing sexual harassment at work and the number who subsequently file claims are not readily available. Nonetheless, it is highly probable that the cases registered with the EEOC only represent a fraction of the total instances of workplace sexual harassment endured by men.
Several factors might deter men from reporting their harassment or lodging a claim with the EEOC. Fear of mockery from colleagues, the misconception that men cannot genuinely be sexually harassed by a woman, or the apprehension that harassment from another man might raise questions about their own sexuality, might dissuade men from coming forward. Concern about potential embarrassment if the details of the harassment become public, particularly if they believe they should have been able to resolve the issue independently, may also be a deterrent. Regardless of the underlying reasons, it is clear that many male victims of sexual harassment refrain from filing claims.
Support for Male Victims of Sexual Harassment
If you are a man experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace, it’s important to understand that such behavior is unacceptable and help is available. The initial step involves reaching out to a seasoned workplace harassment attorney adept at achieving results.
At PLBH, our attorneys have a comprehensive understanding of workplace harassment laws and EEOC procedures and can collaborate with you to ensure your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you are due. Contact our office today at (800) 435-7542 to schedule an initial consultation and learn more about your rights if you have been the victim of harassment.