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Report to #MaineCanDo on Sexual Harassment in Maine Workplaces

This report presents the findings of a survey conducted by Pan Atlantic Research on the perceptions and experiences of sexual harassment in Maine workplaces. The report includes information on the frequency of sexual harassment, perceptions regarding its prevalence and handling, and the consequences faced by survivors.

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Report to #MaineCanDo on Sexual Harassment in Maine Workplaces

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  1. Report to #MaineCanDo on Sexual Harassment in Maine Workplaces • 217 Commercial St. • Portland, Maine 04101 • (207) 221-8877 • www.panatlanticresearch.com May, 2019

  2. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Methodological Notes Two survey instruments – one for employees and one for employers – were designed by Pan Atlantic Research in close collaboration with #MaineCanDo and partner organizations including the Maine Association of Non-Profits, Coastal Enterprises, Inc., and the Maine Technology Institute.Survey links were distributed online via a number of channels, including the newsletters and email distribution lists of partner organizations.Respondents were directed towards the “employer” or “employee” surveys based on their responses to the following question:Are you the person or one of the people at your organization who helps set policy related to human resources issues like sexual harassment?303 employee surveys were collected for a margin of sampling error of ±5.6% at the 95% confidence level.216 employer surveys were collected for a margin of sampling error of ±6.7% at the 95% confidence level.A total of 519 employee and employer responses were collected.

  3. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Methodological Notes • Prior to beginning the survey, all respondents were shown the following definition of sexual harassment: • Sexual harassment is against state and federal law and includes unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature which threatens job security, working conditions, or advancement opportunities. Sexual harassment can be perpetrated by any gender or sexual orientation against any gender or sexual orientation. The two major categories of sexual harassment in federal and state law include quid pro quo harassment and harassment which creates a “hostile work environment.” • Quid pro quo harassment is when a job, promotion or other professional benefit is conditioned on the individual’s submission to sexual advances or other conduct or when such benefits are denied because the individual refused to submit to sexual request(s). • A hostile work environment is created when unwelcome verbal, physical or visual conduct is severe or pervasive, and creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment or interferes with work performance. Employees may experience this kind of sexual harassment even if the offensive conduct was not directed toward them.

  4. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Methodological Notes Prior to beginning the survey, all respondents were shown the following definition of sexual harassment (continued): Examples of sexual harassment include: • Making sexually explicit or derogatory comments or jokes, either verbally or via email. • Inappropriate touching or groping • Questions about sex life or relationships • Sexually suggestive looks, leers, noises, gestures • Pictures, cartoons, screen savers • Forwarding sexual material via e-mail or text • Texting sexually explicit text or images

  5. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Research Findings Perceptions about Workplace Sexual Harassment In Maine

  6. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Perceived Frequency of Workplace Sexual Harassment in Maine On average, employers and employees each believe that more than 4 in 10 adults have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace in Maine. Employee Mean: 47% Employer Mean: 43% N=303 N=216 What percentage of adults do you think have ever experienced sexual harassment in the workplace in Maine?

  7. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Perceptions Regarding Workplace Sexual Harassment in Maine Employees Employers N=303 N=216 63.8% 48.7% 93.6% 89.7% 62.1% 65.8% 22.2% 31.2% Do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

  8. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Perceptions Regarding Workplace Sexual Harassment in Maine Nearly half of employee respondents feel that reports of sexual harassment in the workplace are generally ignored. Employee Questions Only N=303 49.8% 70.4% Do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

  9. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Consequences of Workplace Sexual Harassment Employees’ Experiences Employers’ Perceptions N=216 N=303 How frequently do you think that the following consequences occur for the survivors of sexual harassment? [Employers] Have you experienced any of the following as a result of sexual harassment in your current workplace or in any other workplace? [Employees]

  10. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Research Findings – Employer Survey Workplace Policies, Awareness, and Experience Regarding Sexual Harassment

  11. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Workplace Policies Regarding Sexual Harassment When Policy Was Last Updated N=177 Organization Has a Written Sexual Harassment Policy N=216 Does your organization have a written sexual harassment policy? When was that policy last reviewed / updated?

  12. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Workplace Training in Sexual Harassment Organization Provides Training About What to Do If an Employee Experiences Sexual Harassment N=216 Which Groups Receive Training N=113 Does your organization provide training within the workplace about what to do if an employee experiences sexual harassment? Which of the following groups receive sexual harassment training in your organization? Do managers and supervisors in your organization receive training to ensure immediate and appropriate corrective action is taken when there is a complaint of sexual harassment?

  13. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Workplace Policies Regarding Sexual Harassment More Than One Person To Whom Sexual Harassment Can Be Reported N=216 Aware of Trainings from Local Sexual Assault Response Center N=216 Aware of Local Sexual Assault Response Center N=216 Does your organization have more than one person in the workplace to whom an employee can report sexual harassment? Are you aware that there is a local sexual assault response center in your area that provides education, support, and other resources to survivors of sexual harassment? Are you aware that local sexual assault response centers offer free / low-cost sexual harassment trainings to Maine employers?

  14. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Workplace Reports of Sexual Harassment Organization Has Had Report(s) of Sexual Harassment N=216 Timing of Most Recent Report N=48 Has there been a report or reports of sexual harassment within your workplace? When was the most recent report of sexual harassment in your organization?

  15. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Research Findings – Employee Survey Policies and Resources Regarding Workplace Sexual Harassment

  16. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Employee Awareness of Workplace Policies Have you Reviewed It? N=244 Does Your Workplace Have a Written Sexual Harassment Policy? N=303 Does your organization have a written sexual harassment policy? Have you reviewed it?

  17. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Awareness of Resources to Report Workplace Sexual Harassment While 9 in 10 employee respondents are aware of who to report sexual harassment to in their own workplace, only about half are aware of outside resources such as the Maine Sexual Assault Helpline, the MHRC, the EEOC, and local sexual assault response centers. N=303

  18. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Research Findings – Employee Survey Personal Experiences of Sexual Harassment

  19. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Experience of Sexual Harassment in a Maine Workplace Experienced Sexual Harassment in a Maine Workplace N=303 • A total of 149 respondents (49.2%) indicated having experienced sexual harassment in a Maine workplace. • The following slides relate to the experiences of these survivors. Have you ever experienced sexual harassment in your current workplace? Have you ever experienced sexual harassment while working in a Maine workplace?

  20. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Nature of Sexual Harassment Experienced N = 149 What was the nature of that harassment?

  21. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Frequency of Sexual Harassment Experienced N = 149 How frequently [have you experienced / did you experience] sexual harassment in [your current / that] workplace?

  22. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Role(s) of Sexual Harasser(s) N = 149 What is the role of the person / people who [have] sexually harassed you in [your current / that] workplace? [Multiple options could be selected.]

  23. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Reporting and Retaliation Experienced Retaliation Due to Reporting Sexual Harassment N=58 Reported Sexual Harassment Experienced N=149 Did you report the sexual harassment you experienced to someone else in the organization? Did you experience any retaliation as a result of reporting the sexual harassment you experienced?

  24. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Respondents were most likely to report “threats of retaliation / implied promotion” or coworkers who “touched you or exposed self.” Frequency of Reporting Harassment to Someone Else in Organization Among Victims By Type of Harassment N=58 What was the nature of that harassment? Did you report the sexual harassment you experienced to someone else in the organization?

  25. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Nearly all consequences of harassment occur with greater frequency if harassment is coming from a supervisor or owner. Consequences of Harassment Experienced N=149 Have you experienced any of the following as a result of sexual harassment in your current workplace or in any other workplace? [Employees]

  26. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Likelihood of reporting is lower, while likelihood of retaliation is higher when harassment comes from supervisors / owners. Among Those Who Experienced Sexual Harassment, % Who Reported That Sexual Harassment N=149 Among Those Who Reported Sexual Harassment, % Who Experienced Retaliation N=58 Did you report the sexual harassment you experienced to someone else in the organization? Did you experience any retaliation as a result of reporting the sexual harassment you experienced?

  27. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Research Findings Key Results by Gender

  28. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Although female and male respondents give fairly similar estimates of the prevalence of workplace sexual harassment in Maine (47% female, 43% male), many perceptions about workplace culture differ by gender. Those who report being the victims of sexual harassment should be given the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise N=303 It is inevitable that people will hit on each other at work. N=303 People accused of sexual harassment should be given the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise N=303 Do you agree or disagree with the following statements? [% Strongly or Somewhat Agree, combined]

  29. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Perceptions about reporting sexual harassment also differ strongly by gender. A person who reports being sexually harassed is risking their career. N=303 Reports of sexual harassment in the workplace are generally ignored. N=303 Do you agree or disagree with the following statements? [% Strongly or Somewhat Agree, combined]

  30. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Male respondents showed higher awareness of the ability to report harassment to the MHRC and the US EEOC, while female respondents showed higher awareness of local sexual assault response centers and the Maine Sexual Assault Helpline. % Aware N=303

  31. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo While female respondents experienced workplace sexual harassment at significantly higher rates, male and female respondents witnessed workplace sexual harassment at similar rates. Experienced Workplace Sexual Harassment N=303 Witnessed Workplace Sexual Harassment N=303 Have you ever experienced sexual harassment in your current workplace? Have you ever experienced sexual harassment while working in a Maine workplace? Are you aware of or have you witnessed the sexual harassment of other employees within your current workplace?

  32. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Female respondents experienced all forms of workplace sexual harassment at significantly higher rates than male respondents. Nature of Sexual Harassment Experienced (Among All Respondents - N=303) Stared, Leered, Ogled Touched or Exposed Self Threatened Retaliation Offensive Remarks Displayed Sexist Materials Derogatory Comments

  33. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Research Findings Key Results – Other Demographics

  34. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Perceived risk of reporting is significantly higher for younger employee respondents. Younger respondents are also much more likely to believe that victims get to decide what is and is not sexual harassment. Victims Get To Decide What Is and Is Not Sexual Harassment. % Strongly Agree N=303 Experienced Sexual Harassment in a Current or Former Workplace N=303 Do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Have you ever experienced sexual harassment in your current workplace? Have you ever experienced sexual harassment while working in a Maine workplace?

  35. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Larger companies are more likely to have written sexual harassment policies and sexual harassment training for employees. % of Employers With a Written Sexual Harassment Policy N=216 % of Employers Who Provide Sexual Harassment Training for Employees N=216 Does your organization have a written sexual harassment policy? Does your organization provide training within the workplace about what to do if an employee experiences sexual harassment?

  36. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Awareness of procedures for reporting sexual harassment within the workplace, to the MHRC, and to the EEOC is lower among employees in smaller companies. % Aware of Who to Report Sexual Harassment to Within the Workplace N=303 % Aware of Ability to Report Sexual Harassment to MHRC N=303 % Aware of Ability to Report Sexual Harassment to US EEOC N=303

  37. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo The rate of employee respondents who have experienced sexual harassment is half again as large in larger companies compared to smaller ones. % of Employees who Report Having Experienced Sexual Harassment in Current Workplace N=303 % of Employers who Received Reports of Sexual Harassment N=149

  38. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Non-profit employer respondents were more likely to have a written sexual harassment policy, to provide training to employees, and to have multiple people in the organization to whom to report harassment compared to for-profit respondents. Employers Provide Training to Employees N=216 Employers Have Multiple People to Whom to Report Harassment N=216 Employers Have Written Policy N=216

  39. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Experiences of reporting sexual harassment and retaliation for that reporting differ between respondents who are employees of for-profit and non-profit organizations. Among Those Who Experienced Sexual Harassment, % Who Reported That Sexual Harassment N=149 Among Those Who Reported Sexual Harassment, % Who Experienced Retaliation N=58

  40. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Demographics of the Sample- Employers

  41. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Sample Demographics - Employers

  42. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Sample Demographics - Employers

  43. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Sample Demographics - Employers

  44. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Demographics of the Sample - Employees

  45. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Sample Demographics - Employees

  46. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Sample Demographics - Employees

  47. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Sample Demographics – Employees

  48. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Sample Demographics – Employees

  49. Pan Atlantic Research Presentation to #MaineCanDo Sample Demographics – Employees

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