You know that sexual harassment is common in the workplace, resulting in many complaints to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). But have you ever wondered exactly which industry sees the highest number of complaints?
According to some reports, the restaurant industry is responsible for a stunning 37 percent of all sexual harassment claims. That makes it the leading industry for these complaints by a healthy margin.
It is worth noting that this doesn’t just include sexual harassment that comes from co-workers or supervisors. It also includes harassment from the paying customers at the establishment. One woman said that she had this happen to her often enough that she actually just quit telling her boss, because nothing was being done. Another woman said that the fact that workers earn tips often makes them feel like they need to endure harassment to get paid more.
However, 78 percent noted that customers were responsible. Co-workers, meanwhile, came in at 80 percent and management came in at 66 percent.
Essentially, though the sources were different, that only makes the situation more dire. Those working in the food industry have a reason to worry about harassment coming from all directions. With that in mind, it’s no surprise that this industry spawns the most complaints every single year.
It can be hard to deal with sexual harassment in the workplace, especially when it feels like nothing is changing or like it just has to be part of your job. Remember that you do have rights, as all workers do. If they’re violated, it’s important to know all of your legal options.
Source: Feministing, “The American restaurant industry is number one for sexual harassment claims,” Chloe Angyal, accessed April 25, 2017