The Impact of #Metoo and #Timesup on HR:
Clarification of Sexual Harrassment (Part 1)

It seems that the #Metoo and #Timesup is in the news daily. 2018 has been called “The Year of the Woman.”  There is a sea change in how we treat inequities and women.

For over thirty years I have served as an expert witness, author and conducted training for the prevention of sexual harassment. One of the first things I learned is we are not all operating from the same rule book. With the recent #metoo and #Timesup movement, our heads are spinning with the number of men being accused across all professions and industries. This movement has brought forward a long, dark history of the American workplace. I believe some clarification of sexual harassment will aid in moving forward and eradicating this treacherous act which impacts the bottom line and women’s mental health.

Sexual harassment happens to all combination of genders: The majority of sexual harassment (approximately 90%) is reported by women against men. However, we know that men can harass men, women can harass men and women can harass women. It crosses all gender lines. I believe harassment endured by men is under reported because of what I call the “macho factor.” Men have shared that they have been scolded and teased about not being able to handle a woman trying to pick up on them. Some men are told, when harassed by a woman “go for it! You should be flattered!” or “what’s wrong with you?” Both genders can be victims of harassment.

Go along to get along: People will often remark that “she laughed at the sex joke so we assumed she was good with it.” Women and men will often follow the cultural norm of their work environment to fit in and keep their job. No one wants to be an outsider among their own team. Often recipients of sexual harassment are very embarrassed and don’t want to talk about it to anyone. They fear that, if they talk about it, nothing will be done, or the complaint won’t be taken seriously. They fear reprisal from the harasser, especially if that person is their boss or representative of the management. They are afraid of being told they “asked for it.” They are afraid of being fired, demoted, not promoted, or transferred. They blame themselves. They are told by someone they should be flattered. They’re afraid of being blamed.