Sexual harassment still occurs in many workplaces, despite all the attempts to highlight it and make people see that it is unacceptable. Women in particular still suffer from the issues, much like their grandmothers may have done.
Some people believe that if they rise high enough in the company’s ranks and become one of the bosses, they will no longer be a target for sexual harassment. After all, a higher status within the company would surely make people more careful about how they treat you, right? Not necessarily.
Sexual harassment can come from all directions
Reports on the matter have shown that climbing the career ladder won’t help you avoid becoming a victim of sexual harassment. What’s more, it could make it more likely, for a couple of reasons:
There’s more focus on you, specifically, when you’re at the top
Becoming the boss or senior manager or even just a supervisor rather than a standard-level employee will bring your face to the attention of more people in the workplace. That raises the odds that you become a target for the one person with inappropriate ideas. You may even become a “challenge” to someone with a certain mindset.
The goal of sexual harassment is to take away your power
Many of the perpetrators of sexual harassment engage in it to try and dominate or suppress their target. You may face lower-level workers who feel threatened because you have the power to tell them what to do. And you may face harassment from those on an equal footing or higher up the scale than you now are, who have seen your rise and fear you may be coming for their position in some way. In return, they may try to use sexual harassment to “put you back in your place.”
Rather than trying to avoid being a target of sexual harassment, it is better to tackle the matter directly. It’s the perpetrators who need to change their ways, not you. Legal guidance can help you understand your options. Call us to learn how we can assist.