Men have opened up about what it's like working in female-dominated workplaces, with some facing sexual harassment and propositions of sex.
They shared their stories on social media platform Reddit after a user asked for workplace stories where if the roles were reversed "there would be uproar".
Many of the stories included sexual harassment with one man saying he was harassed by his coworker for years.
"I was sexually harassed by a coworker for almost two years. When I finally got the strength to bring it to my bosses and HR attention (sic), all they did was give her a slap on the wrist and forced me to continue working alone with her. All this with her even admitting to it," he said.
Another said he was frequently assaulted while working as a waiter.
"I got slapped on the ass a lot when I was a waiter. The only other male waiter was a really old dude who didn't play like that."
And he wasn't the only one, with another man saying the same thing happened to him.
"They slap me on my butt. It's a joke and I dont mind but its still sexual harassment if the shoe were on the other foot (sic)."
A bartender said he also faced the same harassment but from his bosses.
"I've had female managers grab my buttocks with both hands after coming in late so this is after a nine-hour shift (sic)."
Another man said he was harassed when he was 16 years old and working as an admin assistant at an academic institute.
"I was the only male in an office of predominantly 40+ women. A few of the women would routinely stand behind my chair and rub caress my head/shoulders while we were working on something.
"I was too young and inexperienced to know that this level of physical contact really wasn't ok. On the other foot, multiple 40+ year-old men doing it to a 16-year-old girl would've absolutely been a scandal."
Several men who worked in various roles in hospitals also said they experienced sexual harassment and inappropriate comments.
"[I] worked [in] admin for a hospital system and it was back in the day when I was working out religiously. They were always slapping my butt, squeezing my butt, touching my chest, rubbing my arms, and letting me know that given enough time, they'll make me forget about my wife.
"You know, the woman to whom I pledged unyielding loyalty and honesty and respect. A couple of them would constantly make blowjob faces at me and I got more than my fair share of late-night texts and nudes.
And when I tried explaining this to my boss (also female, and very buddy, buddy with the admin staff) she said, 'C'mon. It's a joke and this kind of thing is every guy's fantasy. Enjoy it while you can'."
Sexual harassment is any unwelcome or offensive sexual behaviour that is repeated, has a harmful effect, or contains an implied or overt promise of preferential treatment, or threat of detrimental treatment.
Examples of sexual harassment include:
- personally sexually offensive comments
- sexual or smutty jokes
- unwanted comments or teasing about a person's sexual activities or private life
- offensive hand or body gestures
- physical contact such as patting, pinching or touching
- provocative posters with a sexual connotation
- persistent and unwelcome social invitations (or telephone calls or emails) from workmates at work or at home
- hints or promises of preferential treatment in exchange for sex
- threats of differential treatment if sexual activity is not offered
- sexual assault and rape.
Where to find help and support:
- Shine (domestic violence) - 0508 744 633
- Women's Refuge - 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE)
- Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737
- What's Up - 0800 WHATS UP (0800 942 8787)
- Lifeline - 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland
- Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
- Samaritans - 0800 726 666
- Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
- Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
- Shakti Community Council - 0800 742 584
