Trade Unions have fought for many years to get the Government to recognise the affect that sexual harassment has on the individuals targeted. Sexual harassment happens to everyone, all sexes, LGBT+ and those who are have disabilities and other conditions. Despite the overwhelming evidence, the last Conservative government refused to take action. The new Labour government showed an immediate commitment, introducing legislation on 26 October 2024 to tackle the issue
Perpetrators target everyone, as this link evidences.
Research from the TUC published in 2017 found that half of all women have experienced workplace sexual harassment, more recent research shows that figure to have increased.
The 2017 report
Based on a January 2016 survey of 3,524 UK adults (of whom only 1,533 were willing to be asked about workplace harassment), plus a March 2016 survey of an unspecified number of union members, key findings in the report are.
52% of women have experienced “some form of” sexual harassment at some point in their working lives, though a dramatically smaller proportion report it.
Only 20% said that the perpetrator was their direct manager or someone else with direct authority over them. 7% said it was someone external to the employer, like a customer, the TUC report states – “several studies have found that perpetrators of sexual harassment tend to be in a position of power over the target of the harassment“, This doesn't necessarily have to be their line manager, a colleague is more likely to be the perpetrator.
80% did not refer the harassment to their employer (although the statistics later in the report show that only 3% took the issue to their HR department)
If these figures are representative of the UK workforce as a whole, they make pretty grim reading.
Unison and the GMB have requested that the Council introduces a separate Sexual Harassment policy. The immediate response from our Corporate Leadership was that it was not necessary. The Trade Unions think it is.
By refusing to give this issue the publicity it deserves and needs, this lack of taking the issue seriously, only serves to give the 'green light' to the perpetrators to carry on.
Unison is conducting a survey of CCC employees. The survey is open to all, members and none members, so please ask your colleagues to take part. The survey is anonymous, with the results going forward to support the Trade Unions request for a standalone policy, the survey can be accessed here:
The survey has been open for a few days, and already we are seeing that sexual harassment is indeed an issue within our workplace.
So far:
78% of respondents want a separate policy,
28% have experienced unwanted behaviour.
16% have reported it.
Of that 16%, no one is reporting a positive outcome,.
Unison will produce a report on the results of the survey once it is closed and you will find that on the website once written.
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