• 15
  • February
    2012

Los Angeles is a city that offers opportunities in many fields, specifically in the modeling field. Modeling is a demanding industry that places pressure on models to conform to industry demands in order to retain employment in the industry. Many times models are pressured into decisions though sexual harassment.

The legal protection against the sexual harassment present in modeling in Los Angeles is covered under both California laws and federal laws. Sexual harassment can occur in situations when something happens because of something else, otherwise known as a quid pro quo. This type of workplace harassment causes a hostile work environment and can be as simple as an inappropriate joke.

Models are often young women who work in the modeling industry as independent contractors with little job security. When sexual harassment occurs the models do not speak out about the harassment out of fear of losing their jobs. The competitiveness of the modeling industry causes victims of sexual harassment to endure the harassment to ensure job security.

The presence of sexual harassment and the pressures within the modeling industry have gained national attention. Model Sara Ziff has created the Model Alliance, an organization that is focused on improving the working conditions for models and providing more protections for models. The Model Alliance has established a confidential reporting system for models to report improper behavior.

The modeling industry is a competitive industry that has many pitfalls, especially for young models. Modeling is freelance employment where models are often treated as commodities. Models fall victim to industry pressures in an effort to ensure their continued employment. These pressures are often a type of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is prohibited in the workplace and all employees should understand their rights against sexual harassment.

Source: San Francisco Gate, "Fashion models organize to fend off abuses," Leanne Italie, Feb. 8, 2012