Sexual harassment – still just a bit of banter?

Sexual harassment is more widespread than many people think. In a shocking report, researchers from the TUC recently found that more than half of women say they have been sexually harassed at work. The TUC also found a third had been subjected to unwelcome jokes and a quarter experienced unwanted touching.

Sexual harassment occurs where a person is subjected to unwanted conduct of a sexual nature which has the purpose or effect of violating a person’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, offensive or humiliating environment for that individual.

Sexual harassment can include:

• sexual comments or jokes
• physical behaviour, including unwelcome sexual advances, touching and various forms of sexual assault
• displaying pictures, photos or drawings of a sexual nature
• sending emails with a sexual content.

Sexual harassment is a form of discrimination under the Equality Act 2010.

Whilst the government has introduced legislation to tackle discrimination and harassment, the TUC research report suggests that discrimination is still rife in the workplace. Employers should ensure that they have robust policies such as an equal opportunities policy and it is vital that employees receive regular training on equality and diversity at work.

For further information, and to read the TUC report (Sexual harassment in the workplace in 2016) in full, please click here.

If you would like to discuss a sexual harassment case or other employment law matter, please contact our specialist employment law solicitors on 0207 956 8699 or info@rllaw.co.uk.