by Katie Culliton, Editor, CalChamber
Seven years ago, the #MeToo movement shined a bright light on workplace sexual harassment, changing how people see workplaces handle sexual harassment claims. Compared to pre-#MeToo, 70 percent of adults say that people who commit sexual harassment in the workplace are more likely to be held responsible, and 62 percent say that people who report sexual harassment are more likely to be believed, according to a post-#MeToo Pew Research Center survey.
But workplace harassment encompasses more than sexual harassment, and it’s still prevalent in the workplace — where 52 percent of employees have experienced or witnessed harassing behaviors or misconduct, according to a recent HR Acuity survey. Bullying (51 percent), sexual harassment (40 percent) and racism (30 percent) are the most prevalent behaviors. While in-office worksites are where most employees (80 percent) observe harassment, it can also occur online as more employees are working remotely — where fewer people can observe others’ behaviors.
California employers have an affirmative duty to take reasonable steps toward preventing and promptly correcting discriminatory and harassing conduct.
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