Alcohol‐related sexual harassment in the workplace: A between and within industry analysis

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionSexual harassment as a political/legal issue was revitalised by the #MeToo movement in 2017. We estimate the prevalence and development of alcohol‐related sexual harassment (ASH) across industries over the years 2015 to 2021, including potential changes from 2017, and assess differences in the risk of ASH according to industry‐ and individual‐level characteristics.MethodsBased on annual surveys (2015–2021) among employees in 21 Norwegian industries (observations N = 11,512, individuals N = 6353). Age range 20–69 years, 48% women. Associations between ASH and industry‐ and individual‐level demographics, work autonomy, work‐related drinking and intoxication were estimated in linear probability modelsResultsASH prevalence was 6% between 2015 and 2021 and varied between 4% and 13% across industries. Men showed a gradual increase in ASH from 2015 to 2021. The was no significant trend among women or a change after #MeToo. Industries with older employees, more women and frequent intoxication at work‐related occasions had more ASH, while those with more highly educated employees had less. At the individual level, frequent work‐related drinking occasions, tendency to get intoxicated at these occasions, being a woman and younger age were associated with more ASH. We found no individual‐ or industry‐level association between work autonomy and ASH.Discussion and ConclusionsAnnually, 6% of Norwegian employees experience alcohol‐related sexual harassment in work‐related settings. The risk of ASH is higher among employees who are young, female, frequently drink and drink to intoxication at work‐related events, and that work in industries with older employees, more women, less formal education and frequent intoxication.