According to a 2016 report from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the government agency in charge of enforcing civil rights laws in the workplace, as many as 70% of people who are harassed at their workplace never file a complaint with their employer.
But recent data show that societal efforts to bring attention to workplace harassment are having an effect.
Between October 2017 and October 2018, the EEOC reported a 12% increase in claims involving allegations of sexual harassment. During that time, the number of lawsuits resulting from those claims increased by 50% from the previous year.
There are many resources available to employers who want to build and maintain a safe culture in the workplace. Employers should also consider securing employment practices liability insurance. This insurance is designed to help with expenses the employer becomes responsible for due to harassment and other employment-related claims.
