Around a fifth of Filipino employees have experienced workplace harassment — poll
MANILA, Philippines — Twenty-two percent of women and 18 percent of men in the Philippines have experienced violence and harassment at work, according to a study by the Lloyd's Register Foundation and pollster Gallup.
Many of the victims — 47% among women and 60% among men — did not report the incident because of the fear of repercussions and the belief that nothing would come of it.
According to the World Risk Poll: 2021, more than half of men who experienced violence and harassment suffered psychological harassment while 47% of women respondents reported experiencing the same.
The same study also found that 60% of Filipinos who have experienced workplace violence and harassment say this has happened "three or more times."
The results of a survey of 1,000 Filipinos correspond to global findings of the study.
"Globally, those already affected by discrimination outside of work – for instance gender, ethnicity or disability-based – are twice as likely to experience violence and harassment in the workplace (39% compared to 16%). In the Philippines, almost half (48%) of those who had experienced discrimination on the basis of religion had faced violence and harassment at work," a summary of the report read.
Among women workers in the Philippines who experienced harassment, 13% said they were sexually harassed, 9% said they were psychologically and physically harassed and 12% said they experienced all three forms of harassment.
A lower proportion — four percent — of men reported sexual harassment while 20% said they experienced physical harassment.
Most of those who reported the incidents said they told a friend, relative or co-worker. Very few reported the incident to police or community leaders or to social services.
The top reason among women respondents for not reporting the incident was fear for their reputation (73%) while more men hesitated to report the incidents they felt it would be a waste of time (57%).
'A pattern to harassment'
"While certain groups, including university-educated women, showed higher rates of violence and harassment in the workplace, it’s important to remember other vulnerable groups may not feel as empowered to report it, meaning the actual figures could be even higher," Suzanne Maybud, an international consultant on gender equality and women’s advancement in the workplace, said.
"There’s almost always a pattern to it. That’s why an inclusive, zero-tolerance approach to labor laws must be taken by policymakers. This will enable those suffering from violence or harassment in the workplace to feel comfortable enough to report it — with the knowledge that there will be real consequences for the perpetuators. By taking a strong stance, lawmakers have a real opportunity to engineer cultural change that can then trickle down to the company level and protect all workers."
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