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Women not the only victim of workplace discrimination

On Behalf of | Apr 16, 2018 | Whistleblowing |

The recent #MeToo movement has brought many stories of sexual harassment in the workplace to light. Women in Wisconsin and all across the country have shared their experiences of sexual misconduct throughout all industries. However, statistics show that women are not the only victims of this type of workplace discrimination. In fact, men have been victims as well.

According to a recent poll, researchers learned that 10 percent of men in the workplace have been victims of sexual misconduct or harassment. Men account for roughly 17 percent of all complaints filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Though the number of men affected by sexual misconduct are significant, it is telling that men rarely discuss their experiences.

One man in another state filed a lawsuit, claiming his company discriminated against him when it allowed retaliation to occur after he reported the harassing behavior of a co-worker. In this incident, the company took quick action and dismissed the employee who allegedly committed the harassment. The EEOC ruled that no discrimination occurred. However, that is not the case with other companies.

The commission filed a lawsuit against an Oregon Christmas tree farm and an Albuquerque car dealership on behalf of male employees. The cases were settled out of court. A case is pending against a restaurant that allegedly created a hostile work environment for a male worker. Other cases or settlements against companies have involved incidents surrounding gender stereotypes.

When workplace discrimination occurs, whether in the form of sexual harassment or other forms, action should be taken. A Wisconsin attorney familiar with employment law can assist workers in their efforts to pursue litigation against an employer. An experienced lawyer can provide valuable guidance throughout the process, whether a case is brought to trial or settled out of the court.

Source: The Washington Post, “Men account for nearly 1 in 5 complaints of workplace sexual harassment with the EEOC“, Michael Alison Chandler, April 8, 2018

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