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The US Interior Department Has A Harassment Problem

Over a third of Interior Department employees said in a survey that they experienced harassment or discrimination at work.

By: Lindsey Pulse

Posted at 11:30 AM, Dec 15, 2017

and last updated 2017-12-15 11:30:48-05

The U.S. Interior Department has a harassment problem, according to a survey its employees answered.

Over 28,000 workers reported their experiences, and over a third said they were harassed or discriminated against in the 12 months before the survey.

The 28,203 employees who answered the survey represent just 44 percent of the department.

Specifically, employees said they experienced sexual harassment as well as harassment relating to age, gender, race, religion, disability and sexual orientation.

Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke said the results don't mean this is a new problem for the department but that they do give officials a better idea of where to target anti-harassment efforts.

Zinke said he already fired multiple "predators," noting people will be held accountable under his leadership. The department says it will continue its zero-tolerance policy and its efforts to change its culture.