Sexual harassment continues to be a serious problem in the workplace, but many employers appearing to be choosing to turn a blind eye rather than take action to tackle the issue, a new report has revealed.
Employers Aware of Harassment and Discrimination
The survey, which was published by Young Women’s Trust, found that as many as one in eight large companies in the UK admit knowing sexual harassment has gone unreported in their workplace, with a further ten percent saying they are also aware of formal reports of such behaviour.
The survey also found that 63% of employers questioned agreed that sexism still exists at work, with a third admitting women face prejudice and discrimination because of their gender in their own workplace.
Tribunal Fees Scrapped
Previously, many women who had been victims of harassment or other forms of discrimination were deterred from taking action because of the cost of going to an employment tribunal. According to Women’s Trust, while tribunal fees were in place the number of women reporting sexual harassment at work fell dramatically, while calls to helplines increased. Fortunately, the employment tribunal fees have now been scrapped and employees will once more be able to take on employers over workplace sexual harassment without worrying about having to pay huge sums.
“Too many young women are facing sexism and sexual harassment while trying to carry out their jobs,” commented Young Women’s Trust Chief Executive Dr Carole Easton OBE. “It is shocking how many employers are aware of this in their own workplace – yet the problem continues.”
“Employers should look too at what they can do to prevent problems occurring in the first place,” she added. “Supporting more women into a male-dominated workplace, for example, can help change the culture. Everyone should be able to feel safe at work.”
TUC Study Found Widespread Harassment
The findings of this survey support the findings of earlier research conducted by the TUC, which revealed that 52% of women, and 63% of women aged 18-24 years old, said they have experienced sexual harassment at work.
The study found that:
- 32% of women have been subject to unwelcome jokes of a sexual nature while at work,
- 28% of women have been the subject of comments of a sexual nature about their body or clothes at work,
- 23% of women have experienced unwanted touching – like a hand on the knee or lower back at work,
- 20% of women have experienced unwanted verbal sexual advances at work, and
- 12% women have experienced unwanted sexual touching or attempts to kiss them at work.
In the vast majority of cases (88%), the perpetrator of the sexual harassment was male, and nearly one in five (17%) women reported that it was their line manager, or someone with direct authority over them.
“How many times do we still hear that sexual harassment in the workplace is just a bit of ‘banter’?” said TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady. “Let’s be clear – sexual harassment is undermining, humiliating and can have a huge effect on mental health. Victims are often left feeling ashamed and frightened. It has no place in a modern workplace, or in wider society.”
“Employers must be clear they have a zero tolerance attitude to sexual harassment and treat any complaint seriously,” she added. “It’s a scandal that so few women feel their bosses are dealing with the issue properly.”
Contact Us
If you have been the victim of sexual harassment, or other forms of discrimination, at work, then contact our specialist employment lawyers today.
