Viral video highlights workplace sexual harassment claims

A viral video has sparked a fresh debate regards sexual harassment in the workplace.

It comes after warehouse worker Fena Reti shared a TikTok video detailing an incident of alleged sexual harassment where a colleague made her feel “extremely uncomfortable” for wearing leggings.

She explained in the video that she has since opted to dress in baggy clothes and jogging bottoms in order to “feel safe from the male gaze” but noted that the co-worker had once again commented on her appearance, reported the Independent.

On the video caption she wrote: “When he saw me, he stopped me and said, ‘can I just say that, no matter how pretty you are, you look like s**t today’.”

Since posting the clip it has garnered more than 900,000 views, as well as outraged comments from users urging Reti to report the incident to her firm’s HR team.

One person claiming to be from HR added: “Hi, HR here. This is called a hostile work environment and it’s very illegal. Please call your HR or file a complaint with EEOC [Equal Employment Opportunity Commission].”

Similarly, another user said: “I recommend documenting it and reporting it to your manager.”

While many users encouraged Reti to speak out, in a follow-up clip she explained how that can be difficult, particularly after one user shared a comment on the initial clip that read: “Sure that happened.”

Reti went on: “I made a video yesterday about sexual harassment at my workplace. People said I should report it. This comment might help you see how easily victims are believed.”

Despite this, she has since reached out to her HR department “about the general issue that we have been facing in our warehouse for the past three years”.

Tackling sexual harassment

While this incident took place in the US, it holds crucial HR lessons for any employer regards sexual harassment in the workplace.

Speaking to Reward Strategy, Beth Leng, partner in the employment team at SA Law, noted that it is "appalling" women feel the need to alter their appearance due to fears of a male gaze.

She explained: "Workplaces should be safe spaces for people to come together to work professionally and safely.

"Sexual harassment, in all its forms, must be eradicated within the workplace. Employers already have various legal duties relating to the health and safety of their staff at work and in respect of all forms of discrimination and harassment."

Elsewhere, Hannah Strawbridge, founder of employment law specialists HanLaw, revealed that due to the nature of this alleged case, employers should treat the video as a grievance and investigate the issue.

“Employers are vicariously liable for the actions of their employees which means that if they do not deal with the allegations properly, they could face liability for compensation which is unlimited, for sexual harassment,” she warned.

To tackle the issue to help prevent similar instances from happening, she offered this advice: “Employers should operate an equal opportunities policy, deliver induction training on discrimination to all their staff, and should deal promptly and seriously with any sexual harassment allegations.”

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