The #MeToo movement has brought a seemingly unending wave of sexual harassment accusations to light. What began in the entertainment industry has revealed widespread sexual harassment in many other industries. While this may be a step forward for women’s rights in the workplace, some are now questioning if this could also have a negative impact for women in other areas of life.
There is great concern that the #MeToo movement could have unintended consequences as men modify their behavior for fear of being accused of sexual assault or sexual harassment. For example, a recently published New England Journal of Medicine article revealed that because many women in medicine are still reporting widespread sexual harassment on the job, men in prominent positions are hesitant to provide mentoring services for fear of being accused. A lack of mentoring could have a dramatically negative impact on a physician’s career.
Men’s fears of being wrongly accused of sexual misconduct could also carry through to other important areas, including healthcare or medical-related emergency assistance. It has been suggested that even in dire situations, such as when a woman is in immediate need of CPR, there are physicians or good samaritans who might think twice before administering this life-saving function. There are ways to combat these issues, however, including better education on proper technique, and the legislation of Good Samaritan laws that would protect bystanders from legal charges in emergency situations.
You should not have to deal with sexual harassment on the job, nor should your livelihood be threatened because someone fears accusations. If you have been treated differently at work because of your gender, please call the Philadelphia employment discrimination lawyers at The Gold Law Firm P.C. at 215-569-1999, or contact us online for a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia, we proudly serve clients from the surrounding areas, including Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, and Montgomery County.
