Not sure if I would report it today

Question

Mine happened many years ago I was in a situation, where I was sexually harassed on a daily basis. But because I was young, and I wanted to keep that job. I kept my mouth shut. I didn’t think that anything would happen if I reported it anyway, the manager was best friends with the people that were doing the harassing, and made it known that she was. If this kind of behavior happen today, I’m not sure whether I would report it. In light of the things that have happened recently in the news, nobody likes a whistle blower right? I don’t know.

Nikkiblinks · Answer

Allowing yourself to be sexually harrassed on the basis of not losing ur job is so not a good one, because you're losing self respect and dignity,one way to help yourself is not to keep quiet about it,let these predators be brought to book,talk to a trusted friend or colleague in your work place or how to go about it,tell whosoever you know can help you get justice,get evidences and proofs if u can, engage the predator in talks and possibly get a record of it.

SusanA526 · Answer

Sadly companies can't protect you from microaggressions and sometimes not even retaliation but if you don't stand up for what's right nothing will ever change. It's a difficult position to be in but only you know what you can live with in your heart.

Mimi Bishop · Answer

Thank you for sharing this Jennifer. I'm sorry you went through that experience. I am sure it was beyond awful!

As a Gen X woman who started her career back in the early 1990's I would have to agree with you. I think it was a different time and it was near impossible to get to positive solution.

However, today it seems like things are changing and we are finally getting the support we need for challenging issues like this.

If you or anyone you know is currently being sexually harassed at work, I would strong encourage you to get support to speak up.

Susan Townsend · Answer

Not doing anything about the problem only helps to keep the problem going.  Document what you can and do not keep silent about it!  Speak up for yourself and let the harrasser(s) know you will not be treated like that.

Katie Henderson Ladyboss752675 · Answer

If courageous women had not spoken out, we would not be in a (relatively) enlightened state today.  Sexual harassment is unlawful and there are laws against retaliation against whistle-blowers. That's progress!

Orlagh Costello · Answer

I've never reported anything like that officially and while my 'official' advice would be to anyone suffering that they report it to HR or the relevant authority, my unofficial advice would be to have a back up plan, either for a job move or something else. In fact I have said, I'd never report it unless I had 10 witnesses that weren't connected to me in any way...

Organisations have an obligation to deal with reports of sexual harrassment and assault but bluntly, many of them will put you off 'officially' reporting it. 'Are you sure you want to do this?' 'Are you sure he meant it that way' 'Is there a chance you're overreacting here?' All still alive and well as responses in the 21st century.

If I knew my boss or another leader in the organisation very well and trusted them implicitly, I would go to them for advice, but I've never been advised to report...

Not sure if I would report it today

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