More Men Report Sexual Harassment at Work

Yahoo ^ | 03-12-07 | Robert DiGiacomo

[Vaquero]

More Men Report Sexual Harassment at Work

Robert DiGiacomo, for Yahoo! HotJobs

Defying assumptions about sexual harassment in the workplace, a record number of men reported being harassed by male colleagues last year, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Cases filed by men made up 15.4 percent of the 12,025 sexual harassment charges in fiscal year 2006, compared to about 11 percent a decade ago, according to the EEOC.

New Realities in the Workplace

"There's no question this is not only a growing category of claims, but also a large societal problem of which we are just starting to see the tip of the iceberg," says Riki Wilchins, executive director of the Gender Public Advocacy Coalition, a nonprofit group based in Washington, D.C.

Although the statistics don't reveal whether the alleged harassers of men also are male, they typically are -- it's rare for a man to file charges against a female coworker or supervisor, says EEOC spokesman David Grinberg.

It's also unlikely that interactions in the workplace between men have become more hostile over the past 15 years.

[EarthBound]

I'm glad to hear it turned out well for you as well, it gave us an adorable little girl.

[Quilla]

I'm a female that shares a restroom with a male engineer in my office. He walked into the restroom after returning from picking up a new pair of glasses (they were his first bifocals). In a minute, I could hear him through the door exclaiming, "Man, I'm gonna like these glasses!" The next day I brought in a pair of binoculars from home and hung the in the restroom. They're still hanging there today. Is that considered harassment? ;-)

[Hatteras]

"...it's rare for a man to file charges against a female coworker or supervisor..."

It's a tough life being a member of the silent minority. Day in, day out, it's "Hey sweetie, let me get a squeeze on that luscious butt of yours!" It's sooo demeaning when the girls just look at you all day, winking and casually rubbing your leg under the conference room table.... Oh yeah, I know what they're thinking. But, but, damn it, I'm more than just an object for lusting eyes... I'm a human being, I have feelings you know!...

[Yo-Yo]

This ranks right up there with "where were those hot teachers when I was in school."

[JamesP81]

If she doesn't like the guy he flirts with her, then she's a victim, and has to report it to the nanny.

The lesson being: guys, don't flirt with gals. It's no wonder 1/3 of young men in my age group have already sworn off marriage or relationships.

[JamesP81]

It's a tough life being a member of the silent minority. Day in, day out, it's "Hey sweetie, let me get a squeeze on that luscious butt of yours!" It's sooo demeaning when the girls just look at you all day, winking and casually rubbing your leg under the conference room table.... Oh yeah, I know what they're thinking. But, but, damn it, I'm more than just an object for lusting eyes... I'm a human being, I have feelings you know!...

If only it were so...

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

Or they could be physically short or "wimpy" and picked on by jerks/bullies--losers who ought to grow up--who figure that they can get away with it.

Opinion: don't go defending these scumbags.

[Rakkasan1]

Marriage is grand. Divorce about 30 grand.

[Beth528]

Sorry about that..What I would like to say here is all I had to do was read the headline and things came into my head..I would like also to say here when I was working and won't say where but it was a medical place.I was constantly harassed by this one queer every day, the sad part was at the time to show you how naive I was I had no idea what she was talking about because you see my parents never told me there were strange people out there like that..I can tell you I would have taken the whole place down since she wasn't the only one that was Queer there and was always harassing others..And don't give me any of this gay stuff that is not what I consider gay none of them I have seen are happy they are more like Rosie a pitiful piece of trash that no one wants to be associated with..

[pissant]

Any man who can't handle the situation ain't a man.

[Red Badger]

DA YA THINK I'M SEXY - 02/12/1978
Rod Stewart
1 week at #1 - 13 weeks on chart

Sugar, Sugar, mmm
Oohhh

She sits alone waiting for suggestions
He's so nervous avoiding all the questions
His lips are dry her heart is gently pounding
Don't you just know exactly what they're thinking

If you want my body and you think I'm sexy
Come on sugar let me know
If you really need me just reach out and touch me
Come on honey tell me so
Tell me so babe

He's acting shy looking for an answer
Come on honey, let's spend the night together
Now hold on a minute before we go much further
Give me a dime so I can 'phone my mother
They catch a cab to his high rise apartment
At last he can tell her exactly what his heart meant

If you want my body and you think I'm sexy
Come on honey tell me so
If you really need me just reach out and touch me
Come on sugar let me know

His heart's beating like a drum
'cos at last he's got his girl home
Relax baby now we're alone
Oh

They wake at dawn 'cos all the birds are singing
Two total strangers but that ain't what they're thinking
Outside it's cold, misty and it's raining
They got each other neither one's complaining
He say's I sorry but I'm out of milk and coffee
Never mind sugar we can watch the early movie

If you want my body and you think I'm sexy
Come on sugar let me know
If you really need me just reach out and touch me
Come on honey tell me so
Oh

If you really need me just reach out and touch me
Come on sugar let me know
If you really, really, really, really need me
Just let me know
Just reach out and touch me, mmm
If you really want me
Just reach out and touch me
Come on sugar let me know
If you really need me just reach out and touch me
Come on sugar let me know
If you, if you, if you really need me
Just come on and tell me so

[Blueflag]

I think it's a case of 'what's good for the goose is good for the gander' or 'tit for tat' (no pun intended.)

When, as a responsible adult male, you have to watch EVERYTHING you do and say, AND you have to go through yearly re-certs on how to treat people/ deal with people/ what is harassment, what is sexual discrimination ... it wears on you.

Fine. Somebody finally pulls your chain, you react by using the very system that was indeed out to get you.

Some years ago, before running my own businesses, I worked for a global company, based in the US. I frankly got tired of basically being told 'because you're a male, you're a risk.' I had to watch every word, document every meeting, etc. This at the same time there were special programs for women, openly gender-based advocacy programs - gender-based affirmative action programs, if you will. Finally one day I had had enough. I informed my EVP (who I worked for) that "if **I** told that joke, I could be fired. Don't you tell it either." The resentment got the better of me and I was outwardly angry. I was just friggin fed up.

So, not all of these EEOC suits are 'nancy-boys' lookin' for money. Some may just be regular guys who figger it's their day.

IMHO.

Anyway

[SamuraiScot]

Opinion: don't go defending these scumbags.

How about the old capitalist standby: "Get a different job."

[fungoking]

I've been trying to get harassed at work for years...nothing. I'll walk into a room and say how hot is is in here...nothing. What's wrong with these women?

[Tokra]

Any man who can't handle the situation ain't a man.

Oh really? When I was in my twenties I attended an office retirement party. Two 300 pound female coworkers shoved me to the floor - one of them sat on me while the other one stripped all my clothes off.

I'd like to see anyone "handle" that!

I'm hear to tell you that the old saying "More bounce to the ounce" is NOT true.

[lilylangtree]

Give queers power and they're just as destructive as heteros.

[duckman]

"..sort of cute in my own way."
Hmmm?

[Froufrou]

I suppose the only thing worse than not being sexually harrassed is being harrassed by someone fugly.

[Basheva]

After reading this thread I will never sexually harass men again.

Never.

Not at work.

Ok - so, I'm retired.

And I'm married.

We met at work - he definitely sexually harassed me into going out to lunch with hin, then a Saturday night date, then an engagement and then it got worse - marriage.

We've been harassing together ever since.