People who experience workplace sexual harassment often endure noticeable financial consequences. In some cases, they may lose out on opportunities because of the harassment they experience. The decision to leave a job because of harassment can diminish an individual’s earning potential or leave them without income for months as they look for new employment.
People often focus on the financial and professional consequences of workplace sexual harassment. What they may not properly consider is that harassment can actually have health consequences for the targeted employee. The three medical issues below are relatively common in cases where people experience ongoing sexual harassment in the workplace.
1. Mental health challenges
Those targeted for harassment in the workplace may become quite anxious. They may also develop symptoms of depression. In scenarios where harassment culminates in an assault, there is even the possibility of an individual developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The mental health consequences of workplace sexual harassment can last for years. People could rack up thousands of dollars in medical expenses addressing the mental health consequences of workplace harassment.
2. Chronic headaches
People experiencing workplace harassment may feel anxious about their job security. They may become highly vigilant in the workplace because they never know when an unwanted advance or inappropriate touch might occur. In some cases, those who experience high levels of stress may develop chronic headaches. Those headaches can affect their work attendance, quality of life and overall health.
3. Blood pressure issues
Another way that the stress associated with sexual harassment manifests is through increased blood pressure. People who are anxious for 40 hours a week or more may notice a marked increase in their blood pressure over time. In some cases, blood pressure issues may even lead to heart disease.
The unfortunate reality is that the misconduct of other people in the workplace can have dire implications for those enduring the harassment. Connecting medical issues to workplace sexual harassment can help people more effectively quantify the impact of their experiences. It may be possible to include medical expenses in the damages sought when filing a sexual harassment lawsuit. Workers impacted by the misconduct of others may need support as they pursue justice for the misconduct they have experienced, and that’s okay.
