Sexual harassment in the workplace – unwanted advances or offensive references to what is generally associated with sexual relations – is a pervasive problem in the American workforce. A body of research indicates that sexual harassment in the workplace has a devastating impact on employee well-being and performance.

Sexual harassment in the workplace leads to mental health problems such as psychological distress, anxiety, depression and physical health problems such as illness and absenteeism. researcher They also found that when workers are exposed to sexual harassment at work, they are at higher risk of suicide and suicide attempt.

States top the list for sexual harassment in the workplace

A new studyrun by sexual harassment lawyers J & Y Lawsuggests that workplace sexual harassment occurs in some states more than others. The data identifies North Dakota as the most abusive state for US workers

The research analyzed reported cases of sexual harassment from US Equal Opportunity Commission and workplace accident data from US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Cases of sexual injury and harassment were calculated per capita for each state. Each variable was scored and totaled to create an overall “Exploitation Score” for each state. Based on these scores, the top ten most abusive states for workers were identified.

1. North Dakota (exploitation score of 83.3). With 333 workplace injuries per capita and 337 cases of sexual harassment per capita, North Dakota is the most abusive state for workers in the US.
2. Alaska (exploitation score of 74.7). Alaska ranks second. It reports 500 workplace injuries per capita, the highest in the US, and 166 cases of sexual harassment per capita, the third highest nationally.
3. Vermont (exploitation score of 55.3). With 226 reported injuries and 220 cases of sexual harassment per capita, Vermont ranks third with a .
4. Minnesota (42.5 exploitation score). In fourth place, Minnesota reports 411 injuries per capita, second highest in the nation, but only 9 cases of sexual harassment per capita.
5. Nebraska (41.7 exploitation score) ranks fifth. It reports 267 injuries per capita and 101 cases of sexual harassment per capita.
6. Iowa (39.7 exploitation score). It reports 343 workplace injuries per capita, the third highest in the US, and 36 cases of sexual harassment per capita.
7. Indiana (exploitation score of 34.4). It reports 280 injuries per capita and 43 cases of sexual harassment per capita. With a total of 1,451 reported cases of sexual harassment, Indiana is the fifth most sexually abused workforce in the US.
8. South Dakota (exploitation score of 33.2.) In eighth place, South Dakota reports 316 injuries per capita and 10 cases of sexual harassment per capita.
9. Kentucky (32.7 exploitation score). Kentucky reports 312 injuries per capita and 10 cases of sexual harassment per capita.
10. Oregon (exploitation score of 31.6). Rounding out the top ten, Oregon reports 310 injuries per capita and 4 cases of sexual harassment per capita, the lowest of the top ten states.

A call to action on sexual harassment in the workplace

“As sexual harassment attorneys, we have witnessed firsthand the trauma of sexual harassment and workplace injuries on individuals and their families,” comments a J & Y Law spokesperson. “Our study shows that North Dakota exploits its workforce more than any other state, with more cases of sexual harassment than workplace injuries per capita.”

Committed to protecting customers’ rights, the study’s sponsors insist they see the list as a tool to combat the cultures that create poor conditions for America’s workforce. “Employers and policymakers must take immediate action to enforce strict standards of safety and protection in the workplace,” they conclude.

Help for sexual harassment in the workplace

American researchers I believe that sexual harassment in the workplace is both an occupational hazard and a significant public health problem. They argue that new ways to prevent and address sexual harassment in the workplace are urgently needed. They also insist that victims of sexual harassment should receive mental health screening and treatment to mitigate the risks for later mental health problems and suicidal tendencies.

No matter what state you live in, it’s important to seek help if you’re experiencing sexual harassment at work. A 2018 CareerBuilder Survey found that most victims of sexual harassment remain silent. Of those who were sexually harassed, 72% did not report the incident and 54% did not confront the person responsible for the harassment.

Sexual harassment in the workplace affects the mental health and emotional well-being of the victim. It must be approached in a sensitive, empathetic and more emotionally aware manner. If you experience sexual harassment at work (virtual or face-to-face), speak directly to the other person involved or bring the incident to the attention of your HR officer or manager.

If none of these steps are feasible, there are a variety of external resources that provide legal and mental health support for sexual harassment in the workplace: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free and confidential 24/7 support for people in need. 800-273-8255. NavexGlobal provides sexual harassment training to organizations to educate their employees. Operations Inc serves as an impartial, third-party expert where employees can report incidents of sexual harassment.