Sexual harassment cases go unreported on a consistent basis. Some people never report them. Others come forward when they see similar reports in the news or from coworkers, but it may have been months or even years since the events in question took place.
From the outside, people often question why there is this delay. If someone is experiencing harassment, why wouldn’t they just report it right away? The reality is that there are many different reasons, but they usually come back to one main area:
Fear of retaliation
People are worried that the business is going to retaliate against them if they make their report. For instance, they may fear being fired or let go immediately after they report that they were sexually harassed by a coworker, a supervisor, a manager or an executive. Once they lose their job, they may be worried about being blacklisted in their industry, making it difficult for them to get another job.
Even if they don’t get fired outright, they may worry that they will be ostracized or marginalized in the workplace. People may not believe their account, which could harm their professional reputation.
Moreover, people may be concerned about putting themselves in a difficult position. If they make their report and then their wages are cut or their hours are reduced, it could have a significant financial impact on them. Many people live paycheck to paycheck, so even a slight reduction in earnings could be life-changing.
Your legal options
Of course, retaliation for a sexual harassment complaint is in itself illegal. But it’s understandable that employees are concerned. They simply need to know what legal steps to take and what rights they have.