Sexual harassment flourishes in the service industry

People in the service industry know that there’s a major focus on keeping the customers happy. While most people respect that fact, some exploit it. Those individuals might mistreat the workers who take care of them. In some cases, this can lead to sexual harassment.

The service industry has one of the highest rates of sexual harassment. Fortunately, California offers workers some of the best protection against sexual harassment in the country. Workers still face unwanted behaviors at the hands of customers, vendors, supervisors and coworkers, though.

Contributing factors for rampant sexual harassment

Some statistics show that the service industry’s turnover rate is 70% annually. Workplace analysts theorize that many workers leave their jobs behind before they report the sexual harassment that they receive. Employment analysts also suggest that many workers likely quit their jobs before this happens because of how long it takes for workers to receive responses to their complaints. On average, victims can wait 295 days before they receive a reply about their complaint.

The highly sexualized environment and easy access to alcohol in some establishments also create a sexually charged environment. In some cases, businesses may rely on that sexualization to pull in customers. Those businesses may try to hide the prevalence of unwanted sexual attention when prospective employees inquire about jobs.

Any employee who’s facing sexual harassment at work should know that they don’t have to deal with it. They can take action to stop the unwanted behavior. You have rights in this state, so be sure to uphold them. An attorney can advise you on how to do this.

Contact Our Experience Law Firm Romero Law, APC for Legal Assistance

Sexual harassment remains a pervasive problem in workplaces across the service sector, affecting employees and employers alike. To combat this issue effectively, we believe it is crucial to work with a legal team renowned for their expertise in employment law and workplace harassment cases. Contact us &  Schedule a free consultation by calling (626) 396-9900  to get more