COMPLIANCE CORNER
By MEGAN MATIJEVICH
Harassment Is Serious Business for Practice Owners Tips for reducing and preventing the incidence of sexual harassment in the O&P workplace
Editor’s Note: Readers of Compliance Corner are now eligible to earn two CE credits. After reading this column, simply scan the QR code or use the link on page 49 to take the Compliance Corner quiz. Receive a score of at least 80 percent, and AOPA will transmit the information to the certifying boards.
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ARASSMENT OF ANY KIND,
especially sexual harassment, is certainly a sensitive subject—but one that benefits everyone to discuss. In recent years, the antiharassment conversation has ballooned, thanks in part to extensive mass media coverage. The stories in the media often highlight large company leaders and high-profile figures falling from grace in light of sexual harassment allegations. But that doesn’t happen in the O&P profession … does it? While we may believe, or want to believe, that the O&P profession is different, we should not be naive. There is a lot at stake, especially for business owners and those in leadership roles, but it will take a collective effort to help shift the culture.
Statistics and Stories Speak Volumes
According to “Sexual Harassment in the Workplace 2018,” a report from Edison Research, 21 percent of Americans say they have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace. To put that in perspective, let’s say there are 20 employees at one single facility. Roughly four of those 20 would have experienced workplace sexual 46
OCTOBER 2019 | O&P ALMANAC
harassment at some point. That doesn’t account for other forms of harassment, such as discriminatory, psychological, and third-party harassment. An even more startling statistic comes from “The 2019 Guide to Workplace Sexual Harassment” i-Sight infographic, which shows that 81 percent of individuals believe that sexual harassment occurs in most American workplaces, but 90 percent believe it’s not a problem in their own office. So, if we all think it’s happening, but we don’t think it’s happening to any of us, there is clearly a disconnect. The “Guide” also states that between 87 and 94 percent of individuals who are harassed do not file a complaint. Why not? There are several reasons, including fear of retaliation or embarrassment. In fact, 75 percent of employees who spoke out against workplace mistreatment reported that they had faced retaliation, according to the “Guide.” Despite the statistically low percentage of instances in which individuals do report harassment, even the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics (ABC) has received complaints over the years related to harassment issues and hostile work environments.