Reporting of sexual harassment gets a boost

Over a quarter of UK workers have gained the confidence to report sexual harassment they see or experience in the workplace, thanks to the high-profile of movements such as #MeToo and Time’s Up, according to research from jobs website monster.co.uk.


Nearly a third of respondents said they have experienced or witnessed gender discrimination in the workplace in the last year. The study found this was more likely to affect women, with a quarter saying that they had experienced it themselves, compared to 9% of men. Younger generations were also more likely to say they have either experienced or witnessed it, than those aged over 35. 


Meanwhile, a fifth of respondents had experienced or witnessed sexual harassment in the workplace in the last year, with 18% of women reporting they have experienced harassment directly in the last year. 


Data from Monster also saw an 18% uplift in men reporting sexual harassment in the last 12 months.  


Sinead Bunting, European head of marketing at Monster, said that “#MeToo and Time’s Up have clearly had a profound impact and raised awareness of sexual harassment and gender inequality in the workplace”. 


Bunting said companies need to empower workers to come forward if they see something they don’t believe is right.


The Labour Research Department has published a guide for union reps, Tackling sexual harassment at work, £9.20 (www.lrdpublications.org.uk/publications.php?pub=BK&iss=1911)