Texas residents who had faced workplace harassment in the past have been emboldened by the “me too” movement (also referred to with the social media hashtag #MeToo). The newly found attempt to reduce harassment reached its apex with a rising number of people reporting how they have been mistreated on the job. Still, there have been concerns among workers as to the effectiveness of the movement.
Understanding how #MeToo has changed workplace culture is critical, especially when thinking about a legal filing. A poll involving more than 1,000 employees across the nation was conducted by a company specializing in human resources technology. It found that more than three-quarters of workers believed that there were positive results from #MeToo. Even with that, 44% said it hindered trust between employees and human resources. Breaking down the numbers for that sentiment, 52% of men believed it reduced trust. For women, it was 36%. Men between the ages of 18 and 34 came in at 62%. Of those 35 to 64, 45% said the same.
Seventy-four percent of participants said #MeToo reduced sexual harassment. Also, 68% of working Americans said workers were granted a greater voice to protest when they faced sexual harassment. Even with the positives, 77% said that it is not sufficient to stop sexual harassment. Nearly one-third think their HR department provides them an open channel to complain. Forty-one percent said they think employment HR treats it seriously.
The freedom to protest against sexual harassment and other violations on the job is integral for employees. However, as this survey shows, it is not always effective. For those who are dealing with workplace harassment, legal assistance may be needed. An attorney experienced in helping those who have been harassed may assist with filing a claim for damages.
