Sexual harassment of men revealed

[alien]

Sexual harassment of men revealed

Gaby Hinsliff, political editor
Sunday June 25, 2006
The Observer


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A hidden world of sexual harassment, with female managers exploiting their power over men in the office, has been unveiled by a new government survey.

Despite the common stereotype of the male executive putting pressure on his secretary, two in five victims of sexual harassment are men, the study found.

A quarter of the men questioned in the Department of Trade and Industry survey reported being pestered by a client whom they also felt obliged to please.

Article continues
According to the Equal Opportunities Commission, 8 per cent of calls to its sexual harassment helpline are from men, even though research shows male victims are less likely than women to complain. It insists that male complaints should be taken just as seriously. 'It affects both women and men, causing stress, health problems and financial penalties when they leave their jobs to avoid it,' said Jenny Watson, chair of the EOC.

Legally, sexual harassment is defined not just as lecherous behaviour such as groping, but as any form of denigration of workers because of their sex. Male victims were more likely than women to complain of the second kind of harassment - where a female manager treats women more favourably then men or criticises male employees more regularly.

The survey concluded that while the vast majority of Britons do not suffer discrimination, a 'sizeable minority' had suffered: 0.7 per cent of men and 1.1 per cent of women said they had been sexually harassed within the last two years.

The government is giving £1m to a 'dignity at work' project led by the trade union Amicus.

The survey found that 6.9 per cent considered they had been unfairly treated at work for some reason - including some on grounds not currently recognised in law, such as their social class.

More workers complained about discrimination on the grounds of their accent or the way they spoke than because of race, gender, pregnancy or religion - all potential areas of discrimination banned by law, unlike accents.

Last week, Adrian Chiles - the first host of a BBC TV prime time programme with a distinct Birmingham accent - said he believed that 'people assume you're thick' when they hear that accent.

[johnnyp]

male (sic) are less likely than women to complain

Men are expected to take lumps and continue marching.  I think women naturally complain more.  I think this is one of the core elements causing the problems we face today.

While men gut their way through problems, women go to the highest mountain top and proclaim to all that they are unhappy about something.

While men (and women) look with distain upon other men who complain, both women and men have sympathy for a woman complainer.

In politics, the squeaky wheel that can deliver the votes is the one that gets the grease.  This has resulted in government and society taking a man's value for granted.

I see no easy solution to this characteristic.  If men stop keeping a "stiff upper lip" and working through adversity, then society is doomed.  If men continue to be taken for granted, there may be a serious problem when large numbers of men begin to notice there is little to be gained from being civilized and "part of the system".

[alien]

male (sic) are less likely than women to complain

Men are expected to take lumps and continue marching.  I think women naturally complain more.  I think this is one of the core elements causing the problems we face today.

While men gut their way through problems, women go to the highest mountain top and proclaim to all that they are unhappy about something.

While men (and women) look with distain upon other men who complain, both women and men have sympathy for a woman complainer.

In politics, the squeaky wheel that can deliver the votes is the one that gets the grease.  This has resulted in government and society taking a man's value for granted.

I see no easy solution to this characteristic.  If men stop keeping a "stiff upper lip" and working through adversity, then society is doomed.  If men continue to be taken for granted, there may be a serious problem when large numbers of men begin to notice there is little to be gained from being civilized and "part of the system".

Damn that was a great post.

[Mr. Bad]

Gee, what a concept:  Actually ask living, breathing men of their experiences rather than rely on the feelings and opinions of sexist feminazi women's and "gender" studies professors and pundits?  

My God, can I stand the shock...   :roll: