The recent sexual abuse scandal involving Dominique Strauss-Kahn at an upscale New York hotel has brought to light the problems many hotel workers face. Interviews with hotel maids have revealed that many of these women are subjected to sexual harassment by male clientele.
Many of the maids employed by New York City’s upscale hotels are immigrants and fear speaking out about the abuse often through sexual comments, propositions and harassment. The women interviewed also allege the management of the hotels turns a blind-eye to sexual harassment in regard to their high-profile guests.
One former employee, speaking anonymously, of an upscale Soho hotel stated “It happens all the time.” She also said, “It is not uncommon for hotel maids to be harassed or even attacked.” Many of the maids are legal immigrants with visas or illegal immigrants. They often tolerate the abuse because they fear they will lose their jobs or face deportation. According the anonymous source, the prevailing attitude of management is if they don’t like the treatment from the clientele they are welcome to find a new job.
Immigrants are especially vulnerable to the callous attitudes of management in respect to sexual harassment because of their status and tolerate the abuse. Meeting with a sexual harassment lawyer can help these women stand up to people who allow the harassment to continue.
In spite of the efforts of sexual harassment attorneys and advocates for women’s rights, harassment is still an issue in many workplaces. Women who engage sexual harassment lawyers can help reduce the incidents of sexual abuse on the job.
