In our 2020 women’s survey, we asked a question about the impact of the #MeToo movement in retrospect. Here’s what respondents thought. 

In 2017, the social media hashtag #MeToo exploded and became a vehicle for women and men alike to share their stories about sexual harassment and misconduct they experienced in and outside the workplace. Do you feel the #MeToo movement has been helpful to working women? 

Yes – 56%

No – 18%

Undecided – 26%

Guest Editor Sara Kurovski: I believe that it has empowered women to tell their story and raise awareness on this issue; as well as for many to begin to heal. But it has also caused some men to take pause and no longer mentor women for a multitude of reasons. That sentiment has been verified by LeanIn.org, after surveying men and women for the last two years. They found the following:

Senior-level men are now far more hesitant to spend time with junior women than junior men across a range of basic work activities. They are:

– Twelve times more likely to hesitate to have one-on-one meetings.

– Nine times more likely to hesitate to travel together for work.

– Six times more likely to hesitate to have work dinners.

Yes. While the #MeToo movement has inspired quite a lot of mockery from men who feel “victimized” by a brighter spotlight on their behavior, the overall effect of the movement has served as a means to raising awareness — both of the self and of others — relative to relationships between the genders. It has cast new light on the superior-subordinate relationship, helped women see one another as sources of power, and empowered women to speak up when they experience or witness abuse. Also, to be honest, I appreciate that the #MeToo movement has made men feel as though their every word and action is under a microscope; this has been the experience of women for ages, and it’s about darn time we turn the tables a bit. In this case, empathy is never a bad thing.

Anna Clark, assistant professor, Drake University

No. Men have become more cautions when interacting with women. There has been a withdrawal and [it has] created more fear.

Amy Boyce, manager – people and culture development, Aureon

Yes. It has created a new floor for acceptable behavior in the workplace. There is still much to be done to improve the conditions, but a clear line has been drawn to eliminate the worst of the worst conditions.

Eric Heininger, managing director, Eden+ Fundraising Consulting

Undecided. While I believe blatant sexual harassment might be declining, I think there has been some “backlash effect.” For example, I believe that sometimes a man is now less likely to hire a woman for a job that requires travel or men now decline one-on-one meetings with female colleagues or don’t invite women to certain events, thereby excluding women from job and networking opportunities.

Karen Johnson, vice president assistant controller, Meredith Corp.