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Sexual harassment prevalent among low-wage workers

On Behalf of | Dec 28, 2017 | Firm News, Sexual Harassment

Women across many industries face problems in the workplace, but low-wage work does not have the glamour and press appeal of other professions, such as law and acting. In California, women experience sexual harassment in great numbers in the accommodation and restaurant industries, and it can be hard for these women to find solutions. However, solutions do exist for low-wage workers. 

Women who face harassment in these industries fear retaliation and depend more on the income to get by, so they may feel like they can’t win if they raise concerns. Also, some workers fear being reported to immigration services, so they choose to tolerate the abuse. Independent contractors, especially, are vulnerable to workplace harassment and tend to fall through the cracks because they are not covered by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. 

Luckily, these days, some women are stepping forward. Because the offenses are more visible and less likely to be tolerated, slowly the work culture is changing. Hopefully these trends will support the more than 40 percent of female fast food workers who have experienced problems on the job. 

In California, workers are protected against sexual harassment on the job. A person who has been harassed may decide to move forward with a legal case in order to be compensated for losses. Many individuals who choose to speak out decide to consult with an employment law attorney for guidance. They can benefit from one’s experience in trying these types of cases and helping women assert their dignity and recover losses. 

Source: theatlantic.com, “Low-Wage Workers and Sexual Harassment“, Alana Semuels, Dec. 27, 2017

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