It's A "ME TOO" World After All
On January 18, 2017, the popular social media website Facebook paid out $15 million to employees who were sexually harassed at their workplace. This comes after the company previously announced plans to create a formal process of handling sexual harassment allegations. Reports of sexual harassment and misconduct are increasing on the site with nearly one-quarter (24%) of U.S. women reporting that they have experienced some form of work-related sexual intimidation or assault in their lifetime. In addition, 32% of women reported being told by a colleague or boss that they should be more sexually available to them at work, and almost 28% reported being touched without consent by someone other than a romantic partner at work in their lifetime.
On the surface, Facebook seems to be taking a progressive approach in trying to change its workplace culture. However, this incident is not an isolated case — rather it is representative of a pervasive and deeply rooted problem that exists throughout the business world. Along with Facebook and Uber, several other companies have been the target of sexual harassment scandals in the past year including New York-based law firm Baker & McKenzie which fired women who were promoted far less often than men and Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm Binary Capital which was accused of groping female entrepreneurs.
So why are sexual harassment and misconduct on the rise in the workplace? The answer to this question lies in the modern business world where bosses, colleagues, clients and employees are more connected than ever. The catalyst of recent scandals is that many employers are failing to address this problem by not taking appropriate proactive steps to prevent it. While many businesses have been aware of these issues for years, progressive companies like Facebook, Uber, and Baker & McKenzie have recently begun to take steps towards addressing sexual harassment and misconduct at their workplaces. If a company is not proactive when it comes to preventing sexual harassment or employing a safe work environment free from harassment then it risks falling victim to the same kind of scandal that is currently affecting other organizations.
What is the Cost of Sexual Harassment and Misconduct in the Workplace?
Sexual harassment in the workplace can have negative effects. As previously mentioned, other companies have been affected by this cycle including a former Uber employee who alleged that she was sexually harassed while working at the company, Uber's public relations executives were fired after sexually harassing former employees, and a former Binary Capital venture capitalist was accused of sexual harassment and misconduct towards female entrepreneurs. Sexual harassment also takes a financial toll on businesses as employees may find themselves struggling to return to work following an incident of sexual misconduct. According to research by HR and employment lawyer Jodi Dugas, roughly one out of every five American women have lost a job due to such incidents, and the single largest cause of employers having to let employees go is due to harassment.
While sexual harassment in the workplace can have a far-reaching impact on employees and their employers, it also has an indirect impact when it comes to the business itself. When other employees are working under hostile conditions and being harassed in the workplace, every employee is negatively impacted because they start feeling unsafe at work. This makes them spend more time worrying about their safety than winning client deals or making sales calls. This factor is particularly important since businesses typically need employees to be productive. In addition to this, companies lose out on the benefit of positive chemistry between employees which can help them approach client and business relationships in the right way and generate better results than they would otherwise. At a time when so many people are spending more time on their smartphones, it is crucial for businesses to focus on teamwork rather than competition in order for them to achieve their goals.
How to Prevent Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
The solution to sexual harassment in the workplace is very simple; it lies in taking appropriate steps to prevent it from happening. Businesses must be aware of these issues and be proactive about addressing them. To learn more about how businesses can protect their employees from sexual harassment, contact the law firm of David Z. Suskin today at 800-513-5062 or online at http://www.suskinlawfirm.com/.
About Us: The David Z. Suskin Law Firm, PLLC is a firm dedicated to protecting employees from sexual harassment on the job. The firm is located in New Jersey and handles sexual harassment cases throughout the country. If you have been the victim of sexual harassment in your workplace and need assistance from a qualified employment law attorney, then call us at 800-513-5062 or visit http://www.suskinlawfirm.com.
The David Z. Suskin Law Firm, PLLC
23B Pulaski Street, Unit 2D
Elizabeth, New Jersey 07206
Telephone: 800-513-5062
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SOURCE The David Z. Suskin Law Firm, PLLC
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News published on 14. June 2019 at 13:00 and distributed by:
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Spotlight * Jose Sanchez is a graduate of Rutgers University and New York Law School. He joined David Z Suskin PLLC in 2016 as an associate attorney after working as a law clerk for Superior Court Judge Anthony J Esposito in Bergen County and for a private firm specializing in personal injury litigation based in Jersey City.