Harassment Likely for Women in Power

A large-scale longitudinal study on workplace harassment shows women with power most likely to be sexually harassed at work. The study conducted by University of Minnesota sociologists was the first of its kind.

Though previous models showed similar results, Heather McLaughlin, the study’s primary investigator, felt it reemphasized previous beliefs, “This study provides the strongest evidence to date supporting the theory that sexual harassment is less about sexual desire and more about control and domination.”

According to the study nearly half of women supervisors reported sexual harassment in the workplace, whereas only one-third of women that do not hold such positions were harassed. This information led McLaughlin to suggest males in the workplace may use harassment as an “equalizer” of power.

The study was the first longitudinal study of its kind, meaning it observed a group of individuals over time and assessed responses to questions annually. The U of M team used a pool of respondents from the waves of Youth Development Study, which began examining 1,010 participants since 1988.

The study also pointed out other groups that were more likely targets of sexual harassment in the workplace. The groups include non-heterosexual individuals, and feminine men. Those who have been sexually harassed in the past are also more likely to face it again.

The study was conducted by McLaughlin along with Christopher Uggen of the U of M, and Amy Blackstone of the University of Maine.