More than 400 high-profile executives and employees across fields and industries have been fired in the last 18 months because of heightened awareness of sexual harassment due to the #MeToo movement.
Yet, despite the long list of employees who have come forward to report incidents of sexual harassment, coworkers continue to pursue office romances. What’s changed? Since #MeToo, dating a coworker has become more complicated.
The average American worker spends at least 40 hours in the workplace each week, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. “As coworkers spend so much time collaborating and engaging with one another, it is natural that relationships develop,” said Mirande Valbrune, an attorney and author of “#MeToo: A Practical Guide to Navigating Today's Cultural Workplace Revolution.”
And for employees with demanding work schedules, there’s often less opportunity to meet and date people outside the office.
“Even coworkers who may not approach work with an active interest in dating their colleagues may find themselves doing so anyway, despite the heightened awareness of the risk raised by the #MeToo movement,” Valbrune said.