#MeToo Turns One
Associate Evan Gibbs’ biweekly column in Above the Law, “#MeToo Turns One,” highlights how the #MeToo movement has driven an increase in both litigation and meaningful changes in the workplace. He writes, “The EEOC just released its preliminary data for its 2018 fiscal year (which runs from October to October), and there is a noticeable spike in harassment charges being filed. The number of charges filed alleging workplace sexual harassment increased by 12 percent since last October, which is approximately 7,500 total charges.” He adds, “My experience and conversations with other employment lawyers has shown that employers and HR professionals are very focused on sexual harassment prevention as a result of the #MeToo movement, both through workplace training and with their handling of complaints. Allegations that might have previously been ignored as petty or slight are now being fully investigated and taken seriously. Anti-harassment policies have been dusted off and re-evaluated. Training materials have been updated and rolled out to employees and management. Further, since October 2017, states and local jurisdictions have also begun taking steps to prevent workplace sexual harassment…”