Reported Harassment on the Rise
Author: Law Office of Alena Shautsova
Sexual harassment has been an ongoing problem in the workplace since women became a significant part of the workforce and is considered harassment based on the person's sex. Sexual harassment can range from derogatory comments about a particular gender, such as "all women are..." to personal harassment toward a particular employee that involves requests for sexual favors or unwelcome sexual advances.
EEOC tracks harassment statistics
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) tracks harassment statistics on a yearly basis. Their tracked statistics show the number of charge receipts alleging harassment that they receive every year. Their statistics indicate a much higher number of alleged harassment charges received from 2009 through 2011 than from 2000 through 2007.
Total harassment receipt statistics were as follows:
- 2000: 24,239
- 2001: 24,385
- 2002: 25,678
- 2003: 25,240
- 2004: 22,910
- 2005: 23,192
- 2006: 23,034
- 2007: 27,112
- 2008: 32,535
- 2009: 30,641
- 2010: 30,989
- 2011: 30,512
You would expect alleged harassment to drop during a stiffer economy where jobs are scarcer, but according to statistics, this was not the case.
Statistics also showed that along with the increase in harassment allegations, there were a greater number of settlements reached in 2011 than 2000 (2,232 settlements in 2000 compared to 2,878 in 2011) and a greater number of allegations that the EEOC deemed as no reasonable cause (14,133 in 2000 compared to 21,410 in 2011).
Many women are afraid to take action against sexual harassment for fear of retaliation that could cost them their jobs or deny them opportunities. Yet, sexual harassment is illegal.
If you face sexual harassment issues, consulting a skilled New York sexual harassment lawyer can help you decide the best course of action