More men file sexual harassment claims in US
Source: Agencies |
March 5, 2010, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
JOHN Pilkington's boss wouldn't take no for an answer.
During more than two years as a food runner at an upscale steak house in Scottsdale, Arizona, Pilkington says his male supervisor groped, fondled and otherwise sexually harassed him more than a dozen times.
"It was very embarrassing," Pilkington said. "I felt like I had to do something."
Now Pilkington, a married father of two, is the star witness in a US federal lawsuit against Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar and one of a growing number of American men claiming they are victims of sexual harassment in the workplace.
From 1990 to 2009, the percentage of sexual harassment claims filed by men has doubled from 8 percent to 16 percent, according to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Lawyers at the commission say they've noticed the increase in complaints by men - more than 2,000 were filed in 2009 out of about 12,700 cases.
"It's certainly possible that there's more sexual harassment of men going on, but it could just be that more men are coming forward and complaining about it," said Ernest Haffner, an attorney in the commission's Office of Legal Counsel.
While some cases allege harassment by female supervisors or co-workers, most charges involve men harassing other men. Sometimes it's unwelcome romantic advances. Other times, men are picked on because they are gay, perceived as being gay or not considered masculine enough for the work setting.
The commission has been filing more lawsuits involving male victims, saying it wants to send a message that such behavior is unacceptable and unlawful.
In November, for example, the Cheesecake Factory restaurant chain agreed to pay US$345,000 to six male employees who claimed they were repeatedly sexually assaulted by a group of male kitchen staffers at a Phoenix-area restaurant.
The commission said the abusers touched and grinded against the victims' genitals and took turns simulating rape. The company denied the allegations but agreed to pay a settlement.
During more than two years as a food runner at an upscale steak house in Scottsdale, Arizona, Pilkington says his male supervisor groped, fondled and otherwise sexually harassed him more than a dozen times.
"It was very embarrassing," Pilkington said. "I felt like I had to do something."
Now Pilkington, a married father of two, is the star witness in a US federal lawsuit against Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar and one of a growing number of American men claiming they are victims of sexual harassment in the workplace.
From 1990 to 2009, the percentage of sexual harassment claims filed by men has doubled from 8 percent to 16 percent, according to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Lawyers at the commission say they've noticed the increase in complaints by men - more than 2,000 were filed in 2009 out of about 12,700 cases.
"It's certainly possible that there's more sexual harassment of men going on, but it could just be that more men are coming forward and complaining about it," said Ernest Haffner, an attorney in the commission's Office of Legal Counsel.
While some cases allege harassment by female supervisors or co-workers, most charges involve men harassing other men. Sometimes it's unwelcome romantic advances. Other times, men are picked on because they are gay, perceived as being gay or not considered masculine enough for the work setting.
The commission has been filing more lawsuits involving male victims, saying it wants to send a message that such behavior is unacceptable and unlawful.
In November, for example, the Cheesecake Factory restaurant chain agreed to pay US$345,000 to six male employees who claimed they were repeatedly sexually assaulted by a group of male kitchen staffers at a Phoenix-area restaurant.
The commission said the abusers touched and grinded against the victims' genitals and took turns simulating rape. The company denied the allegations but agreed to pay a settlement.
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