According to the latest report from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), reported claims of sexual harassment in the workplace decreased in the fiscal year 2019, which ended in September of that year.
Out of 72,675 charges of workplace discrimination, the agency received 7,514 claims of sexual harassment. This number represents 10.3% of all claims—a decline of 1.2% from the fiscal year 2018. The top workplace discrimination claim was retaliation, which accounts for 53.8% of all claims. Naturally, this encompasses retaliation from discrimination of all kinds. The top claim for retaliation precedes disability, race and sex on the list.
What are the statistics for New Mexico specifically?
New Mexico’s statistics followed the declining national trend.
- In 2018, there were 147 reported claims of sexual harassment, representing 1.3% of national claims.
- In 2019, there were 120 reported claims, representing 1.1% of national claims.
These statistics represent a decline of 27 claims and 0.2% of national claims from 2018 to 2019.
Analysis
In the aftermath of the #metoo movement, sexual harassment appears to be declining in the workplace. According to the Harvard Business Review, reporting seems to be more common and workplace discrimination is less tolerated, as women have become socially and psychologically aware of how common and unacceptable harassment and discriminatory behavior is. The most current data from the EEOC supports this claim.
