sexual harassment in the workplace, a record number of men reported being harassed by male colleagues last year, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Cases filed by men made up 15.4 percent of the 12,025 sexual harassment charges in fiscal year 2006, compared to about 11 percent a decade ago, according to the EEOC.



New Realities in the Workplace

"There's no question this is not only a growing category of claims, but also a large societal problem of which we are just starting to see the tip of the iceberg," says Riki Wilchins, executive director of the Gender Public Advocacy Coalition, a nonprofit group based in Washington, D.C.

Although the statistics don't reveal whether the alleged harassers of men also are male, they typically are -- it's rare for a man to file charges against a female coworker or supervisor, says EEOC spokesman David Grinberg.

It's also unlikely that interactions in the workplace between men have become more hostile over the past 15 years.

What's changed, though, is recognition by the legal system of male-on-male harassment, via a landmark 1998 Supreme Court ruling. The high court found in Oncale v. Sundowner Offshore Services that same-sex sexual harassment is a form of discrimination protected under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

An Unwritten Code Changes

"This kind of harassment has always taken place in the workplace," Wilchins says. "But the kind of abrasive, sexualized horseplay that might have been acceptable 10 years ago is actionable today.

"More males realize they don't have to take it -- they can file suit."

While harassment based on sexual orientation is not protected by federal law, it's important to note that in gender-based harassment, the aggressors -- and their victims -- are likely straight.

"We assume that the vast majority of the cases are not individuals who are necessarily gay or transgender, but they're in situations where there are these abrasive codes of masculinity to which men are expected to live up to," Wilchins says.

Know the Signs

What constitutes sexual harassment? According to the EEOC, it happens when submitting to or rejecting "unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature" affects your job, disrupts your work performance or leads to an "intimidating, hostile or offensive" workplace.

In the case of men harassing other men, these unwelcome behaviors could range from the use of feminine pronouns and sexual taunts, to simulated sex acts and threats of a sexually aggressive nature, according to GenderPAC.

What You Can Do

What to do if you believe you're a victim? The EEOC recommends you first follow internal company complaint procedures.

If your employer cannot -- or will not -- resolve the situation to your satisfaction, you can file a complaint at one of the EEOC's 53 offices.

The agency will investigate, and if it finds evidence to support your claim, will attempt to mediate the case. If necessary, the EEOC will file a lawsuit on your behalf.

Tell me about it!
I got fired from decent job cause these two fat bitches who fucked with everyone started fucking with the new guy in their department telling him that I had the hots for him, playing on his homophobia. (Everyone knew I was gay cause I didnt care. No one really had a problem with it either.) The new guy was a dumb fuck who thought he was a thug, but he was just a young sloppy fat dusty thing. One day he called me a fag. So i went and made a complaint about what was happening. Specifically those two women. A couple weeks later, im fired.

Ribbed4UrPleasure said:

fucked up!

Ribbed4UrPleasure said:

are u sure that's the case and u weren't just shit at your job

just a thought

CinisterCee said:

yeah that's not right.

eraclito said:

uhm, no. Im certain I was excellent at my job. I had moved up several pay grades taking different job bids. The last one I had I was the only person in the building who had the job of being thier own team leader.

I am a school trained Equal Opportunity Rep (yes, the Army does enforce its EO/Sexual Harrassment Prevention policies quite strenuously) but I've never had a male troop report or make a formal complaint about sexual harrassment...it just doesn't happen...the only people who use the system are female troops...since males won't as a matter of "manhood" and no one is "out" in the military, (so there aren't any homophobia/gay bashing claims made, at least not to us)....

...but you have to also think that, much like many of the silly gender discrimination suits filed by men (like the guy who sued Hooter's), some of these claims may just be frivolous attempts to undermine laws and policies that have a legitimate place in the work place....

just my

I am so tired of women objectifying us all the time.

reneGade20 said:

that reminds me, I hate it when I go out to eat and I get a waitress who acts all flirty and slutty thinking she will get a larger tip.

Ribbed4UrPleasure said:

HOOTER's is the worst with that shit....when I was in GA, I had a waitress sit at my table with her legs across mine, telling me all of her relationship business.....

don't get me wrong...I was captivated.... but her table service.....you know, the whole waitress gig thing.....wasn't that good at all....

and yeah, I left a decent tip for her too.....so I guess I fell for it!!!

reneGade20 said:

i'm not really sure if it's still considered harassment if you enjoyed it.

Anx said:

My significant other visits every now and then.....

reneGade20 said:

oh. uh, gotcha.

i meant..

THAT IS SO AWFUL FOR YOU. i can't believe you endured that kind of humiliation!

i hope you've found a way to cope - that evil, mean, voluptuous temptress of a hooters waitress HAD NO RIGHT!!!!





(ok how'd i do?)

Anx said:

Ribbed4UrPleasure said:

Umm, doesn't "-SATION" normally end your account names?

ThreadBare said:

Mach said:

Well of course. It's only sexual harassment if the woman is ugly.

I would like to report sexual harassment from the orgettes. I'm constantly being sent orgnotes with invitations to all kinds of sexual encounters.

Disgusting I tell ya!

ItsOnlyMe said:

Lucky