According to the Norwegian Work Environment Institute. Almost one in five of the youngest employees say they have been exposed to unwanted sexual attention at work.
Although the percentage of all workers experiencing unwanted sexual behavior at work slightly increased from 4,1% to in 2016 to 4,5 percent in 2019, this increase was visible among employees aged 17-24. In the latest study by the Norwegian Work Environment Institute (Stami), 17 percent answered the same. - an increase from 11 percent in a 2016 study.
- Among men and women, the increase is equally high, but much higher among young women. There is a big difference between the sexes, says Tom Sterud, a researcher with Stami and one of the few who worked on the new one work environment and health fact book 2021 .
The increase after the #metoo action
The institute notes that the #metoo campaign took place between the two studies. As awareness of sexual harassment increases, this number could be expected to decline. But at the same time, increased awareness can lead people to report behaviors or events that they have not previously reported.
- We believe the numbers can be explained by increased awareness and a changed approach to what is defined about acceptable behavior. We cannot quantify it - says Sterud.
Sensitive frontline professions
The survey shows that it is employees from professional groups who have widespread contact with clients or patients who most often report harassment. The professions most represented among them are: Salesmen, Nurses, Nursing and Care Workers and Police / Security.
The data also shows that temporary workers are more likely to report having experienced unwanted sexual attention compared to permanent workers.
– Taken together, this means that many working people who are early in their careers are exposed to behavior that should not be encountered in the workplace. Nevertheless, we see that it increases the risk of both mental illness and sick leave – says Sterud.
(©NTB)
Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB
