Despite news reports calling out the technology industry’s sexual harassment problem, some experts believe that sexual harassment allegations in the industry will continue to rise. Many women are feeling hopeful as more women are speaking out about sexual harassment, which has been a surfacing issue in the tech industry for some time.
Over 200 women who worked in the tech industry for ten or more years participated in a recent survey targeting sexual harassment and gender bias. The participating women were given a chance to express their feelings regarding the male-dominate industry.
The results showed that women felt that they were more commonly targeted for performing “office-work” tasks, such as ordering food and note taking during meetings, than their male colleagues. Some felt a need to hide pictures of their children and family at work in order to be taken more seriously in their role. Some women also expressed that they were asked about their personal lives in job interviews, a topic unrelated to their current skills.
Why Sexual Harassment Goes Unnoticed
The following are the three main reasons people fail to speak out against sexual harassment in the work place:
Retaliation. This is the most predominant fear. Women do not want to feel threatened for reporting acts of sexual discrimination. Women either fear that their careers will be jeopardized or that they could be the target of certain behaviors following the report.
Bystander Effect. People commonly assume that someone else will handle an uncomfortable situation. They also often don’t know what to do in situations like sexual harassment. Victims generally do not expect an assault, and therefore don’t always immediately know how to respond.
Male-Dominance. Women may play along with sexual harassment in a male-dominated workplace because they do not want to feel alienated or as though they do not fit in. Some women believe that they must tolerate this type of behavior to gain access to work-related functions or promotions.
Philadelphia Sexual Harassment Lawyers at The Gold Law Firm P.C. Fight Sexual Harassment
If you have been a victim of sexual harassment, don’t be silent and don’t be afraid to speak out. If you are dealing with unwanted sexual comments or acts in the workplace, contact a Philadelphia sexual harassment lawyer today at The Gold Law Firm P.C.. Contact us online or by calling 215-569-1999.
