#MeToo | Does HR actually help victims of harassment?

Spearheaded by the #MeToo movement, the past few years have born witness to a vocal uprising in the workplace.

Historically, fear of detrimental consequences, being fired or treated poorly dominated the balance of power in situations relating to workplace harassment. However, the revolutionary actions of individuals who were no longer prepared to endure the physical and mental damage inflicted by powerful figures such as Harvey Weinstein, Philip Green and Les Moonves, demonstrated a seachange in the conversation surrounding abuse that made it almost impossible for such individuals to continue to rely on their professional clout to hide their actions.

Workplace abusers were thrust into the public eye by their victims – something they never believed would happen for one sole reason. They believed that their professional power was enough of a dominating factor to gag the individuals they were abusing. In the case of Harvey Weinstein, the public were shocked and immersed in the case as it unfolded because it was disturbing to hear that an almost endless stream of A-list Hollywood mainstays had fallen prey to his attacks – including the likes of Salma Hayek, Lena Headey and Gwyneth Paltrow, to name a few.

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Misconduct scandal | 'HR isn't interested in stopping harassment'

It proved a hideous point to those who were willing to hear it – that enduring abuse has historically been the actions of those terrified to lose their careers, families and open themselves up to ridicule and scrutiny by a system that has, in the past at least, favoured those with the money to pay their way out of facing the consequences of their actions.