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.

[hunter112]

Are suggesting that when one male wants sex with another that they are both straight - based upon this article? The story says that men report other men who hit on them, does that not sound like gay men seeking sex?

It could well apply to heterosexual males hazing other heterosexual males by implying that they want homosexual behavior. It's legal to insult another man's choice of automobile, or even his taste in music, but when you question his sexuality in the workplace, even in jest, it's probably harassment.

[Hacksaw]

After taking a good look at the women I work with, you would know why there is no sexual harassment there. :)

[Beth528]

At the time if I knew what I do now about the filthy pigs there would have been a very hefty law suit..It is one thing when someone is kidding but this person was not.