Being one of the only (or the only) women in the workplace can be intimidating. Not only can being one of the only women in a male dominated field be more stressful, but it may also increase the chance of sexual harassment. The following considers common industries that are male dominated, examples of sexual harassment, and what you can do if you have been harassed due to your gender.
Male-Dominated Careers in NYC
Certain industries are male dominated for a number of reasons, ranging from educational opportunities for women to degree of strength needed for manual labor to simple preference. Some of the most commonly male-dominated careers include:
- While women certainly are employed in the construction industry, the field is highly dominated by men. According to a graph published by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, only nine percent of workers in the construction industry are women (as of the year 2010). Males also dominated a number of other blue collar jobs, including those in agriculture, mining, and transportation.
- Like construction, the manufacturing industry is dominated primarily by men. In fact, only about 28 percent of employees within the field of manufacturing are women.
- The tech industry is growing, but despite its surging presence and popularity, the field is dominated by men. An article in The Wall Street Journal states that tech companies have the lowest participation of women of any industry. Even at Google, women comprise only approximately 30 percent of employees.
The above list is not inclusive; there are a number of other industries that are also male-dominated.
Recognizing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Sexual harassment refers to a broad range of behaviors, and does not have to be physical. Examples of sexual harassment include:
- Requesting sexual favors;
- Cat calls or whistles;
- Unwelcome sexual advances;
- Offensive remarks about a person’s sex; and
- Any other verbal or physical harassment that is of a sexual nature.
Sexual harassment is illegal; if you are a victim of sexual harassment in the workplace, you have rights.
What to Do if Sexually Harassed in the Workplace
If you are a woman who is harassed in the workplace because of your gender, you should report the harassment to your supervisor immediately. In some cases, such as instances where the issue is not handled by your supervisor, you are retaliated against, or harassment worsens, you should contact an attorney.
At the offices of Ricotta & Marks, P.C., our NYC sexual harassment lawyer will advocate for you. We can help you to fight back against sexual harassment in the workplace and any retaliation that you experience. For a free case consultation, contact our NYC sexual harassment lawyer by phone or online today.
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