The hashtag heard round the world: How #MeToo did what laws did not

dc.contributor.authorLeopold, Joy
dc.contributor.authorLambert, Jason R.
dc.contributor.authorOgunyomi, Ifeyemika O.
dc.contributor.authorBell, Myrtle P.
dc.date.accessioned2021-04-30T20:17:09Z
dc.date.available2021-04-30T20:17:09Z
dc.date.issued2019-08-26
dc.description.abstractPurpose: The purpose of this paper is to propose that #MeToo is a social movement which has been more effective in changing norms around and increasing understanding about the prevalence and destructiveness of sexual harassment than decades of laws and organizational policies have been. Design/methodology/approach: The paper uses communication, management and psychology literature on social media, public shaming and social movements to propose that #MeToo is a social movement that has changed perceptions of and knowledge about sexual harassment and assault. #MeToo provides voice to previously silenced targets and incentives for individuals to avoid perpetrating harassment and for organizations to deter sexual harassment at work and sanction it if it occurs. Findings: The paper discusses individuals who have been publicly shamed and terminated for bigoted behavior outside of work, and organizational leaders who have been ousted after social media postings, as organizations attempt to distance themselves from the perpetrators of bigotry and sexual misconduct. Since #MeToo, some cities have passed laws prohibiting organizations from requiring sexual harassment targets to sign non-disclosure agreements. Practical implications: Sexual harassment is associated with high individual costs and organizational costs, including costs of turnover, lost business and reputational damage. The #MeToo movement provides incentives for organizations to be more proactive and vigilant in their attempts to deter sexual harassment, and to appropriately address it when it occurs. Social implications: Sexual harassment has widespread effects on women’s daily lives and careers. #MeToo gives voice to harassment targets, changes norms of silencing them, and increases awareness of harassment as unacceptable, harmful behavior. Originality/value: The paper positions #MeToo as a social movement, with the ability to change the seemingly intractable problem of sexual harassment in ways laws have not.en_US
dc.identifier.citationThis is a post-print version of a paper that is available at: https://doi.org/10.1108/EDI-04-2019-0129. Recommended citation:Leopold, J., Lambert, J. R., Ogunyomi, I., & Bell, M. P. (2019). The hashtag heard round the world: How #MeToo did what laws did not. Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: An International Journal. This item has been deposited in accordance with publisher copyright and licensing terms and with the author’s permission.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/11274/12990
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1108/EDI-04-2019-0129
dc.language.isoen_USen_US
dc.publisherThe hashtag heard round the world: How #MeToo did what laws did noten_US
dc.subjectDiversityen_US
dc.subjectSocial mediaen_US
dc.subjectSocial changeen_US
dc.subjectSexual harassmenten_US
dc.subjectSocial movementsen_US
dc.subject#MeTooen_US
dc.titleThe hashtag heard round the world: How #MeToo did what laws did noten_US
dc.typePost-Printen_US

Files

Original bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
Lambert-TheHashtagHeard.pdf
Size:
266.18 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:

License bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.68 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description: