New Oversight Report: Murray Shines Spotlight On Sexual Assault, Harassment In Key Industries; Recommends Next Steps To Stop Harassment At Work

Yearlong oversight report highlights stories of brave women and men who came forward to share experiences of workplace harassment, their stories are making an impact

Report highlights need for new federal action to give workers the tools and support they need to hold employers accountable

Murray: “I wanted to make sure that Congress paid attention not just to the stories from Hollywood or here in the nation’s capital, but to all workers”

***Read the full report HERE***

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released a new report on the scourge of workplace harassment, entitled, “‘…So I Tolerated It:’ How Workplaces Are Responding to Harassment and the Clear Need for Federal Action.” The report is a result of a nearly yearlong examination, initiated by Senator Murray after so many brave women and men came forward and shared their stories of sexual harassment and assault in the wake of the #MeToo movement. It examines the ways in which survivors’ stories are leading to change and underscores the need for stronger action to ensure workers have the tools and support to hold employers accountable.

“We’ve seen so many people bravely come forward and make clear that sexual assault and harassment in the workplace just has to stop—and I wanted to make sure that Congress paid attention not just to the stories from Hollywood or here in the nation’s capital, but to all workers, especially in industries like manufacturing and food service where these threats are especially high,” said Senator Murray. “It’s inspiring to see that, as the report shows, workers are having an impact by speaking up. It’s also clear there is a real need for stronger protections and preventative measures, which is something I’ll be very focused on as we head into the next Congress.”

The report is based on conversations with survivors, advocates, labor unions, and business groups, among others. It includes a review of existing federal laws and policies and outlines the ways in which workers currently do not have the tools or support at the federal level to hold employers accountable for preventing workplace harassment, or to effectively and equally advocate for their rights and safety on the job. In addition to providing an overview of serious gaps in research, prevention, and legal protection that both enable workplace harassment and prevent workers from enforcing their rights, the report lays out recommendations for federal action to begin closing these gaps. 

The report can be found HERE.

The appendix to the report can be found HERE.

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