Guide helps in tackling sexual harassment

The EHRC equality watchdog has published a checklist and action plan to assist employers in the hospitality industry tackle sexual harassment against their staff. Preventing sexual harassment at work: checklist and action plan for employers has been produced in partnership with UKHospitality, the industry body for the sector.


According to the EHRC, more than half of women and two-thirds of LGBT people report experiencing workplace sexual harassment, with a particular problem in hospitality. 


The majority of bar and waiting staff say they have experienced or witnessed inappropriate sexual behaviour. According to the EHRC, many hospitality staff don’t get management support, with employers viewing sexual harassment as a “normal” part of the job.


The checklist aims to help venues put appropriate structures in place to protect their employees, and will be promoted by UKHospitality. The guidance defines sexual harassment as “anything that violates someone’s dignity or makes them feel intimidated, degraded, humiliated, offended or like they are in a hostile environment”.


Employers are reminded that they have a duty of care towards their workers and that they can be held legally responsible for sexual harassment if they do not take preventative steps. 


There are templates for use alongside existing HR policies. They include a checklist, action plan and monitoring logs which can be adapted to suit different workplaces.