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A BBC survey found that two in five women in the UK have experienced unwanted sexual behaviour at work, while only a quarter of these women have reported it. The same survey also revealed that almost one in five men had been harassed at work.
The poll, which surveyed the experiences of over 6,000 men and women, was one of the largest surveys ever conducted about sexual harassment in the workplace. It explained that those who work flexible jobs and hours are the ones who are most likely to experience unwanted sexual behaviour at work.
Those who work flexible jobs and hours include people who are on zero hour contracts, freelancers, gig economy workers and those who are self-employed. The poll found that 43% of these workers had experienced sexual harassment in some form at their place of work.
Camille Ukpanah, 24, who lives in London, spoke to the BBC about her experiences with sexual harassment at work. She said that while working as a bartender and waitress for an agency, she and her colleagues would receive derogatory remarks from guests. At one point she also saw a man try to pull up a co-worker’s skirt, despite being in a room full of people. Camille stated that the girl was forced to continue working, or else risk not getting paid.
She approached the agency to tell them what she saw but was met with a cold response. She said: ‘You explain certain things that happen but they brush it over. They would say 'if you want to leave, you can go - there are so many people looking for work.’
Nilufer Guler, another waitress who spoke to the BBC, said: ‘With the use of zero hour contracts, agency work and unfair tipping schemes it's no surprise that sexual harassment is rife in the industry. They take power away from workers so that they cannot demand better conditions. They can't come forward about sexual harassment and win.’
She believes that the hospitality industry is particularly hostile to democracy and unions.
According to Nilufer Guler, waitresses have no way to speak out, and there is no one holding themselves accountable. This is why, she says, unions must be formed to allow waitresses to work together and stop the normalisation of sexual harassment in the workplace.
The survey asked those taking part about the behaviours that they experienced most regularly, including rape, pornography and unwelcome jokes.
The investigation comes after the sexual harassment scandal in Hollywood when it came to light that Harvey Weinstein had assaulted and harassed a number of women.
Men and women across the world shared their experiences at the hands of men in positions of power in Hollywood, on TV and elsewhere, getting behind the #metoo campaign on Twitter, with everyone telling their stories.
For experts in employment law, including sexual harassment claims, call Lloyd Donnelly Solicitors now on 0808 223 0813 today, or fill in our online enquiry form.
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