The Economic and Career Effects of Sexual Harassment on Working Women

TLDR

Many working women experience sexual harassment, and while some report it, many leave their jobs to escape the hostile environment. This mixed‑methods study investigates whether sexual harassment and the resulting career disruptions affect women’s career trajectories. The authors combine in‑depth interviews with longitudinal survey data from the Youth Development Study to assess the impact of early‑career sexual harassment on women. The study finds that sexual harassment heightens financial stress by prompting job changes and can substantially alter women’s career attainment.

Abstract

Many working women will experience sexual harassment at some point in their careers. While some report this harassment, many leave their jobs to escape the harassing environment. This mixed-methods study examines whether sexual harassment and subsequent career disruption affect women’s careers. Using in-depth interviews and longitudinal survey data from the Youth Development Study, we examine the effect of sexual harassment for women in the early career. We find that sexual harassment increases financial stress, largely by precipitating job change, and can significantly alter women’s career attainment.