Workplace harassment

Thu, 3 Jul 2008 | Updated: Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:59 am

Most men too afraid to report workplace sexual harassment by women

Most men who experience sexual harassment at work are too afraid to make a complaint, according to a new survey.

The survey, from employment lawyer Peninsula, found that 79% of men in the workplace say they have experienced sexual harassment from women and 86% are too afraid to complain to their employer, while 66% of male workers do not feel sexual banter is appropriate in the workplace.

Most employers (85%) admit that they would take a claim from a female employee more seriously than from a man.

David Price, head of diversity at Peninsula, said: “The balance has shifted and it is now women who are aiming sexual banter at male workers. Many workers are under the opinion that sexual banter is an acceptable norm in the workplace yet don’t believe that even the seemingly innocent sexual jokes can be taken in the wrong way. But not everyone is happy with these types of jokes and the situation is a consistently growing problem for employers.”

What do you think? Send us your views