Amongst other things, the Unite survey report demonstrates very poor leadership is rife in the UK.
In a recent survey by the UK union Unite found that sexual harassment is widespread in UK workplaces. The survey, which polled almost 300,000 female members, revealed that a significant number of women have experienced various forms of harassment.
Here are the key findings from the survey:
- Prevalence of harassment: One in four (25%) women reported being sexually assaulted at work, while 8% experienced sexual coercion. Over half of the respondents said they had been subjected to sexually offensive jokes (56%) and unwanted flirting or remarks (55%). Four out of ten women (43%) had been inappropriately touched.
- Repeat offenses: The harassment was not a one-time occurrence for many women. Nearly half (48%) said it happened more than twice, and over a third (36%) experienced it more than once.
- Failure to report: Three-quarters of those who experienced harassment did not report the incidents, often out of fear that they wouldn’t be believed or that their job would be at risk. This lack of reporting allows perpetrators to continue their behavior.
- Employer inaction: Despite a new law (The Worker Protection Act 2023) requiring employers to prevent sexual harassment, the survey found that many are not taking their obligations seriously. Only 26% of respondents felt their employer had done enough to promote a zero-tolerance culture, and some women who did report harassment were disbelieved, forced to work with their abusers, or even fired.
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