Victim, the word usually calls to mind the meek and downtrodden, but not so when it comes to victims of sexual harassment. A new study conducted by sociologists at the University of Minnesota and University of Maine appears to find a link between women in power and the increased incidence of sexual harassment.
The traditional stereotype is the female employee who is harassed by her male supervisor, but apparently this cultural image in not in step with changing workplace realities. The study suggests that women who hold positions of power in male dominated work environments, are being harassed by their male subordinates at a high rate.
The study, which will be published in the journal American Sociological Review found evidence that the interaction of sex, gender and power can be instrumental in predicting occurrences of sexual harassment. In other words, the level of accomplishment, the sex of the employee and the ratio of men and women within the workplace together can offer insight to the likelihood that harassment will occur.
In explanation of the higher rates of harassment against women with supervisory roles, the researchers suggest that women with authority over some men can directly challenge the presumption that men are superior, and that sexual harassment may serve to even the playing field against women with power. The motivating factor in these cases is not desire, but more domination and control over the female superiors.
Additionally, they found that where men are often rewarded for their accomplishments in traditionally female occupations, women advancing in male dominated fields can be isolated and viewed by co-workers as undeserving of their positions.
These are some of the statistics: 58% of female supervisors in predominantly male workplaces will likely experience sexual harassment during their careers. While, 42% of female supervisors in a predominantly female work environment can expect to experience harassment.
What this study really reveals is that women have a long way to go for workplace equality.
Sexual harassment is a form of discrimination and is illegal under both Federal and California state laws. Sexual harassment lawyers in Orange County can help you to understand your rights.
Additionally, the sociologists’ study indicated that sexual harassment incidents of female supervisors were more “varied” than the range of conduct seen in the male superior/female subordinate scenario, but that the most common offenses were leering, staring and unwelcome touching.
Generally speaking, to bring a claim of sexual harassment, the victim must either be harassed by a supervisor and suffer some adverse employment action as a result of the harassment, or they must show extreme or pervasive incidents of harassment that together create a hostile work environment. In the case of a woman in a supervisory position being harassed by a subordinate only the latter applies.
If you or anyone you know is suffering from sexual harassment in the workplace, regardless of their position or sex, consult a sexual harassment lawyer in Orange County.