The economic effects of sexual harassment in the workplace

Caroline Coly and Margaux Suteau

LSE Research Online Documents on Economics from London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library

Abstract: This article discusses evidence on the economic costs of sexual harassment. We first review the available data sources that allow researchers to measure these costs. Next, we identify studies highlighting the effect of sexual harassment on occupational segregation, job turnover, wage penalties, productivity losses for companies, and female labour participation. In assessing the existing policies, we review the evidence on anti-harassment training, targeted enforcement, and diversity programmes and we find promising options for policymakers. Also we note that there are still some limitations from persisting sexist attitudes too. By discussing a novel survey experiment, we illustrate the importance of beliefs in sustaining cultures of harassment, while also being potential pathways for solutions. We conclude our review by suggesting that combining accountability measures with interventions to shift norms is crucial for much-needed cultural transformation across gender relations to eliminate sexual harassment.

Keywords: sexual harassment; gender inequality; labour market (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J01 R14 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 11 pages
Date: 2025-03-14
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Published in LSE Public Policy Review, 14, March, 2025, 3(4). ISSN: 2633-4046

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ehl:lserod:127729

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