The statistics are shockingly high – a 2020 survey carried out by the Government Equalities Office found that 30% of women had experienced sexual harassment at work over the past year, as compared with 27% of men. A 2023 poll carried out by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) found than one in three people who experienced sexual harassment at work told their employer about what was happening. Employment Tribunal cases involving sexual harassment have increased by nearly 50% between 2019 and 2023, but given that many incidences of sexual harassment are not reported, this is probably just the tip of the iceberg.
Incidences of sexual harassment are higher among those aged under 35, people identifying as LGBT+, and those with a disability, and people from ethnic minority groups. A TUC report published in December 2024 found that 65% of Black women had experienced sexual harassment in the workplace.
The Worker Protection Bill (2023)
In October 2024, new legislation came into force as part of the Worker Protection Act 2023. This means that all employers will have to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of workers in the course of their employment. This duty includes events such as external conferences and work Christmas parties.
Whilst the Worker Protection Bill 2023 is a welcome development in terms of the onus being on employers to take taking preventative steps to change their working culture to end sexual harassment in the workplace, many employers are unaware of their new responsibilities under the Bill. A survey carried out by CultureShift in October 2024 found that nearly half of UK businesses did not know that the Worker Protection Act was coming into force that month , whilst only 39% felt that their business was prepared to deal with sexual harassment allegations.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has provided detailed guidance for employers, including eight steps that employers should take in order to prevent sexual harassment at work. Although many employers will be putting these steps into practice, many will not, and a significant number of employees will not be aware of the new protection that the Worker Protection Act offers them.
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