When it comes to employment there are so many factors to consider. You have to think about commute time, whether or not salary is comparable to what you need to live, whether you will fit in with the other employers, whether this move will actually take you to the next step or not. The last thing you are thinking about is how someone who supersedes you will wield the power to get you to do to behaviors that you wouldn’t normally do; that is if you were a man.
Women grow up in a culture where she knows that people are looking at them for more than just their beauty. Women know that sexual harassment is a real thing in the workplace and thankfully there is a cultural movement bringing awareness to just how pervasive this behavior is in the workplace. Despite all this awareness, those who try to raise their voices about sexual harassment are still stigmatized, bullied, and disbelieved particularly, if you do not fit the mold of someone who looks like they should be sexually harassed. The #METOO movement was not just created for women. This movement was to create awareness for all sexual harassment even those who aren’t believed the most. Again, we are talking about men.
When men enter the workplace there are a lot of assumptions that work for them. For example, we all know that men, particularly white men, are more likely to be promoted or be in positions of authority. Men are seen as more authoritative and respected more in their positions. Thankfully there are women who have obtained authoritative statuses but that doesn’t mean that they are rallying for any cultural shift in how they got there. Some truly still believe that the best way to get to the top is to sleep to the top, or some truly believe that with power comes special allowances.
This is the case for 1 in 7 men who have been sexually harassed at work. It’s not that #METOO isn’t about men, it’s just that men who call sexual harassment are heavily stigmatized and disbelieved. Sexual harassment is more about exerting power than recognizing its victims. Men and Women in power are guilty of subjecting subordinates to sexual behaviors that they feel they must do in order to keep their jobs or gain promotions. If this fits your story then you are not alone. Not only are there other men and women who are dealing with sexual harassment, but you have a whole cultural movement ready to rally for you.
Whether you are a man or woman, if you are experiencing sexual harassment at work then you need to speak with our sexual harassment attorneys at The Kaufman Law Firm in Los Angeles. We do not discriminate or judge. We listen, empathize, and tell you our trusted opinion of your case. Do not feel like you have to hide away from your problems. Call 310-981-3404 or click here so that we may advocate for you through this terrible situation.