In 1980 the stories of our early members were turned into the hit comedy 9 to 5. In the film, White women who are the target of sexual harassment in the workplace plot against their boss to expose his many crimes and harassment and create an office ideal for working women.  

In 2024, we know that workplace harassment occurs in every job, not just in the offices of these white women. We know women of color, especially those earning lower wages are more likely to experience workplace harassment. It’s not just harassment and discrimination based on gender affecting us, it’s race and class meeting at the intersection of gender, creating workplaces that jeopardize our financial futures. 

Harassment isn’t always based on sex- it can be based on race, color, religion, national origin, disability, or genetic information. Harassment can take a huge physical, emotional, and financial toll on the victim which can cause ripple effects inside and out of the workplace. 

On Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, we’re reminded that workplace harassment contributes to the pay gap that has rippling effects for the rest of our lives.

When Black women are harassed in the workplace it can cause short- and long-term effects on their pay that contribute to the pay gap. They may leave a job early, affecting their career advancement or they might cut or change their hours to avoid their harasser and some might face retaliation for reporting harassment, like cutting their hours, receiving poor performance reviews, or being denied promotions or raises.

Many women, especially women of color, do not have access to supportive workplace policies, like paid leave, paid sick time, or adequate health insurance that covers mental health services to recover from harassment. If they can access services, they may still encounter other economic barriers like losing hours at work or being unable to afford childcare.

This Black Women’s Equal Pay Day there are two actions you can take: 

Change starts in our workplaces- download our Workplace Harassment or Equal Pay zines, print, and leave in your workplace to start a conversation! 

The second action you can take is to tell your representatives that you want them to support critical legislation to end workplace harassment and increase the amount of money someone can be awarded if they do experience workplace harassment. Sign the petition now to tell Congress that discrimination and harassment have no place in the workplace.