While you run the risk of facing sexual harassment in any California work environment, research shows that women face higher rates of sexual harassment in some fields than in others. In general, sexual harassment is often more common in male-dominated industries, and the commercial trucking industry is among them.
According to Transport Dive, women currently account for about 7% of all commercial truckers across the nation. As an ongoing truck driver shortage continues, many trucking companies are making efforts to recruit more female drivers. Yet, some women are hesitant to enter the industry because they are fearful of facing sexual harassment from others working in it.
How often sexual harassment goes unreported
A survey involving women in trucking shows that many instances of sexual harassment in the industry go unreported. In fact, current estimates suggest that females in trucking neglect to report about half of all instances of sexual harassment they experience on the job.
Why sexual harassment often goes unreported
The main reason women in trucking say they do not bother reporting instances of sexual harassment to their superiors or anyone else is that they believe doing so would be a waste of time. Most do not believe their perpetrators are ever going to face consequences for harassing them. Many trucking companies lack formal channels or processes for reporting sexual harassment, and this, too, reduces the number of women who come forward about their treatment.
You do not have to accept falling victim to sexual harassment simply because you work in a male-dominated industry. There are laws in place protecting you and others from having to face this type of harassment in the workplace.
