Far too many people in Alameda County continue to face sexual harassment on the job despite the rise of the #MeToo movement and the public conversation about unwanted sexual advances at work. The acting chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or EEOC, said that this kind of inappropriate workplace behavior continues to be pervasive and persistent, a common topic of complaints received by the commission. She noted that she was appalled by the volume of sexual harassment complaints received by the agency, indicating the scope of the issue.
ADA protects workers from discrimination over mental health
Workers in California who have mental health difficulties could gain protection from workplace discrimination under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Mental illnesses, such as PTSD, anxiety or depression, could develop in almost any person at some point. The death of a loved one, divorce or trauma resulting from military service often impact people's mental health. According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, 18.5 percent of adults cope with mental illness every year.
More than a third of employees experience workplace harassment
According to a new study, 35 percent of employees in California and across the U.S. have experienced some form of workplace harassment. Of those who have experienced harassment, approximately 50 percent report that the discrimination was linked to their gender. The study was conducted by Hiscox, a specialty insurer.
