A recent survey highlights ongoing concerns about workplace harassment despite new legal obligations for employers.
- More than 55% of women perceive a risk of sexual harassment in their work environment.
- One in ten women consider the risk of harassment to be significant.
- Many organisations lack proper sexual harassment policies and investigation processes.
- There is a general lack of trust in reporting procedures and their effectiveness.
A recent survey conducted by INvolve has revealed that more than half of the women believe there is a risk of sexual harassment in their workplaces. Of these, nearly 10% expressed that the risk is significant, indicating persistent concerns about safety in these environments.
The survey, which gathered responses from 1,002 women working in companies with over 250 employees, also indicated that a quarter of the participants had witnessed sexual harassment at their workplace within the past five years. Alarmingly, over 10% reported observing such incidents on multiple occasions.
Despite impending updates to the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act, which will enforce a mandatory duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment from October 2024, the survey’s findings suggest that many businesses are inadequately prepared. Less than half of the respondents believe their employers have established clear policies on sexual harassment.
Furthermore, only about a third think that their employers have implemented fair and impartial investigation processes. Nearly 20% reported that no measures have been taken to mitigate the risk of harassment in their workplace, highlighting gaps in organisational policies and practices.
Regarding reporting procedures, although a majority say they know how to report sexual harassment, a significant portion does not. Specifically, 16% would not know how to report it if witnessed, 14% if experienced, and 20% if informed about it. This uncertainty reflects a potential breakdown in communication of reporting protocols.
Trust in the effectiveness of organisational responses to harassment reports is also lacking, with nearly 20% doubtful that any action would be taken were they to report an incident. Although 85% believe that their leadership is committed to fostering a safe and respectful environment for women, less than half view this commitment as strong.
Suki Sandhu, CEO of INvolve, commented on the findings, emphasising the urgent need for businesses to reassess and reinforce their harassment policies. He stated, “The results of this study are deeply concerning and show just how much more work businesses need to do to ensure that women employees are safe in the workplace.”
The findings underscore a pressing need for organisations to strengthen their commitment to preventing and addressing workplace harassment.
