Campaigners hail plans

Labour's plans to crack down on sexual harassment of interns and volunteers in the workplace has been welcomed by a host of organisations, including the Young Women’s Trust and the Chartered Management Institute.

Labour’s proposals were unveiled by deputy leader Angela Rayner in May as an extension to the party’s New Deal for Working People due to come into force if Labour wins the next general election.

Speaking to the CMI women’s conference, Rayner outlined legislation to make employers liable if they fail to act on an incident against interns or volunteers. Labour, she claimed, would give women “the best start at working life”.

“Sexual harassment remains rife in workplaces across Britain,” she said. “For any employee, but especially interns and volunteers, sexual harassment can destroy confidence and ruin early careers. My message to working women is clear: a Labour government will have your back.”

Claire Reindorp, chief executive of the Young Women’s Trust, hailed the proposals as especially important for young women workers, around half of whom experience some form of discrimination.

“Being young and female – particularly as an intern – means being in a uniquely powerless position in the workplace,” she said. “Increasing protections against harassment at work will mean interns and people on work experience are given the rights they should always have had.”

CMI chief executive Ann Francke added that the measures are not just good for employees, interns or volunteers, but “ultimately good for business”.