The #MeToo movement made headlines and captured national attention when it originated after the Harvey Weinstein scandal. Since then, rampant sexual harassment cases across numerous industries have been reported, and victims have been sharing their stories. However, despite being in the spotlight for quite some time, the MeToo movement has not taken off as righteously in the office.
Although about half of those who represent companies in the United States agree that the problem of sexual harassment has taken on a new level of importance since the #MeToo movement began, that feeling has not been backed up with change.
Currently, about 90 percent of companies have a sexual harassment policy in place, but the recently revealed abuses would not be so profound if those policies were being enforced. According to the Pew Research Center, about 14 percent of workers have been sexually harassed at work.
Even though a high number of companies have sexual harassment policies, only one in five offer training to back them up. Only about 35 percent of those who responded to a recent survey plan to create a new sexual harassment policy this year, although 37 percent plan to modify their existing policies. Less than one-fifth of companies plan to offer bystander training, which teaches workers how to respond if they suspect a co-worker is being harassed. And many companies are continuing to use a confidentiality agreement, which many victims feel protects the abuser.
If you have suffered harassment or discrimination at work, the Philadelphia sexual harassment lawyers at The Gold Law Firm P.C. can help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Contact us online or call 215-569-1999 for a free consultation. We are centrally located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
