Sexual harassment in the workplace is a dangerous threat that can lead to a decrease in personal and professional quality of life, jeopardize the well-being of both men and women, weaken gender equality, and impose costs on companies and organizations. In recent years, movements around the world have formed to draw more attention to the fact that sexual harassment and abuse are pervasive in spaces such as the workplace, and to expose the barriers that many women and men face when experiencing this type of harassment and abuse. At the same time, research shows that sexual and gender minorities are disproportionately affected by high levels of sexual harassment and abuse in the workplace.

“When I was a student, I worked part-time as a salesperson in a relatively large clothing store. From the beginning, the teasing and annoying jokes from my colleagues started when they saw that I didn’t have any particular opinions about the female customers or their clothing choices, and I didn’t participate in their jokes and flirting. These harassments continued, but I tried my best to not allow them to continue by my behavior and way of speaking. Until one of these colleagues obtained my ID through a fake page on Instagram and found out about my sexual orientation. They started harassing and tormenting me anonymously and virtually, but when they realized that I wouldn’t give them any money, they revealed themselves and threatened to ruin my reputation at work and tell everyone about the situation… Before the store manager found out and the issue became public, I was forced to leave the store and not work there anymore…”

Mohsen, a homosexual boy living in Shiraz.

Harassment and bullying in the workplace, in all its various forms, has a significant negative impact on both employees and employers. This can cause harm to the mental and physical health of individuals, affecting both their personal and work lives, and also has a negative impact on the culture and productivity of the work environment. In addition, ineffective responses to complaints of harassment and bullying only exacerbate the effects on the individual.

In 2019, the Congress of Labor Unions conducted a survey among over a thousand LGBTQI individuals, including gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals, about their experiences with sexual harassment in the workplace. The report, titled “Sexual Harassment and Discrimination of LGBTQI Individuals in the Workplace” (1), showed that out of every ten respondents who identified as a sexual or gender minority, nearly six (68%) had experienced sexual harassment in the workplace.

Two-thirds of the individuals surveyed had not reported their experience of sexual harassment in the workplace. One out of four individuals stated that doing so would mean revealing their sexual desires or identity, and they were afraid to “out” themselves in the workplace.

Evidence from some studies (2) repeats these findings and shows that sexual and gender minorities experience much higher levels of bullying and harassment (worse than just sexual harassment) in the workplace: this amount is twice as much for gay and bisexual men or four times as much for sexual and gender minorities, according to various studies.

A guide to dealing with harassment and bullying in the workplace (3) explains that constant harassment and bullying usually leads to poor performance and attendance at work, which in turn can result in termination. The main reason for this problem, which is caused by homophobia and transphobia, is never officially recognized.

Employees who are homosexual or bisexual and complain of harassment and mistreatment are often accused of being overly sensitive, lacking a sense of humor, or hiding their sexual preferences.

Yashar, a homosexual boy living in Tehran.

“Due to my academic background and, of course, out of necessity, I am currently working in a large religious organization. I have always tried my best to do my job in the best possible way and to be as creative as possible. However, one of the conditions for management in this organization is marriage; a topic that I am constantly criticized for and sometimes my colleagues use hurtful words and negative language to insult and humiliate me. This has greatly affected my work and I no longer have the motivation to continue; I even sometimes consider resigning and immigrating…”

The evidence presented in a study commissioned by the UK Government’s Equality Office and published by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (2016) (4) shows that transgender individuals may face even more discrimination and harassment in the workplace than gay and bisexual individuals. This study found that up to fifty percent of transgender individuals have experienced this issue. Respondents reported very poor treatment from human resources departments, lack of understanding from managers about issues related to transgender individuals, and little support when facing discrimination and harassment. The consequences of this include limited job opportunities, hindered career progression, and difficulty in being open about their identity in the workplace.

Arzu, a transgender woman living in Tehran.

“I had just separated from my family… by force… I had no experience of life in a big city like Tehran… With the little money I had, I rented a suite in the south of the city… I was desperately looking for a job, any job, even selling in a factory… I had just started hormone therapy and my voice was still high and my body somewhat masculine… Wherever I went for work, they either didn’t accept me or offered me sex and relationships. I was forced to work in a factory for six months… The condition for agreeing to work was to have a sexual relationship with my boss… I had to endure the workers’ talks, jokes, insults, and sexual harassment… It was a difficult time. Every day I became more hopeless and isolated, but it seemed like I had no other choice…”

Discrimination and violence against sexual and gender minorities is a serious problem worldwide. LGBTQI workers, including homosexuals, bisexuals, and transgender individuals, face discrimination in the job market due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. In Iran, this issue is exacerbated by the criminalization of sexual minorities and the lack of specific laws and programs to address violence and harassment in the workplace. This has led to higher levels of harassment and mistreatment for these individuals in the workplace, and in some cases, they may be denied access to employment, education, promotion, and social security.

This has led to sexual and gender minorities being excluded from governmental structures, employer and worker organizations, and not having their specific interests addressed in social discourse or reflected in collective agreements. As a result, when faced with discrimination, harassment, or bullying, they not only have no means of resolving conflicts in the workplace, but may also face social stigma or even legal repercussions if they choose to speak out, discouraging many from reporting experiences of sexual violence in the workplace.

Notes:

1- Sexual harassment and abuse of sexual minorities in the workplace, a report by the Congress of Labor Unions.

Website.

TUC (Tehran University of Commerce), May 17, 2019.

2- Hudson Sharp, Nathan, and Metcalfe, Hillary, Inequality Among Lesbians, Bisexuals, and Transgender Groups in Britain: An Investigation of Evidence.

Institution.

National Economic and Social Research, July 2016.

3- Harassment and mistreatment in the workplace.

Guide.

UNISON, December 2016.

4- Hudson Sharp, Nathan, and Metcalfe, Hillary, Inequality Among Lesbians, Bisexuals, and Transgender Groups in Britain: A Review of Evidence.

Institution.

National Economic and Social Research, July 2016.