HR file: Sexual harassment in the workplace

The TUC this month reported that 52% of women have been sexually harassed at work, with most employees not reporting incidents they had experienced. Employers should be taking action to reduce the likelihood of sexual harassment occurring in the workplace and supporting those who bring any complaints forwards.

Employers should be aware that sexual harassment can take more than one form. Anti-discrimination laws protect workers against unwanted conduct of a sexual nature and unwanted conduct due to the person’s sex or gender where this has the purpose or effect of violating someone’s dignity or creating an intimidating, degrading, humiliating or hostile environment. This covers numerous acts including jokes or ‘banter’ about a person’s sex life or unwanted touching through to requiring sexual favours to achieve a promotion. Importantly, what constitutes harassment depends on the outlook of the person complaining, so a remark that may be funny to one person could constitute sexual harassment by another.