Most of us are aware of the #MeToo movement. However, it may only recently be coming to our attention how often sexual harassment, assault, and misconduct can happen in schools, restaurants, and virtually anywhere we find ourselves throughout the day. As a result, organizations outside the workplace are taking steps to encourage the reporting of sexual harassment and prohibiting its occurrence.
Uber is one such organization that has come under scrutiny for its discriminatory workplace culture, and has since fired over 20 employees due to sexual harassment allegations. Among those fired included senior executives.
Along with Uber, the National Sexual Violence Resource Center and the Urban Institute have developed a taxonomy of sexual offenses that is hoped to serve several purposes, including improving reporting and establishing terms that can be employed to universalize the language used when describing incidents of harassment.
Uber’s Taxonomy
Uber’s Taxonomy lists 21 categories of sexual misconduct and assault that could be reported by drivers, riders, and anyone else that interacts with the rideshare company’s platform.
Within the taxonomy, some behaviors appear multiple times, each time increasing in the level of severity. The behaviors can be further categorized into non-contact and assault behaviors, and range from what could be considered minor misconduct, like flirting; to criminal offenses, like rape.
Below are some examples listed in the taxonomy:
- Comments or Questions: Explicit and Personal
- Explicit Gestures
- Kissing and Touching: Sexual and non-sexual body parts
- Solicitation of Sex
- Display of Pornography
- Sexual Penetration: Attempted and Non-consensual
Although the categories may seem broad, each misbehavior is further defined, including how it made the victim feel.
However, the taxonomy will be used for internal recording and analysis only. Drivers and riders will have the opportunity to explain the details of the incident in their own words.
Uber’s Future
Uber and its partners feel that creating this taxonomy is an important step to not only improve reporting of incidents of sexual harassment, but to define and understand this behavior on another level.
Uber expects reports of incidents to increase since the release of the taxonomy, which would be a natural result of individuals feeling that they have the support necessary to report such behavior.
In the future, Uber has plans to:
- Release a report on the taxonomy’s findings
- Create a trauma unit of trained individuals to directly contact victims
- Create a standard methodology to be used by other companies
Middletown Sexual Harassment Lawyers at McOmber McOmber & Luber, P.C. Advocate for Rideshare Victims of Sexual Assault and Misconduct
If you were sexually harassed, inside or outside of the workplace, or have experienced sexual misconduct, harassment, or assault, a Middletown sexual harassment lawyer at McOmber McOmber & Luber, P.C. can offer compassion, confidentiality, and help you obtain the justice you deserve. Our lawyers are experienced in all facets of New Jersey’s sexual harassment laws and will tirelessly work for the justice you are entitled to.
Call our Red Bank office at 732-842-6500, our Marlton office at 856-985-9800, our Newark office at 973-878-9040, or contact us at 888-396-0736 or online for a free consultation. We represent clients throughout New Jersey.