Studies show Females in the UK are battling Sexual Harassment
The Trades Union Congress and the Everyday Sexism Project conducted an online sexual harassment survey. The survey reached 1,553 women from YouGov who willingly agreed to respond to workplace sexual harassment questions. The findings of TUC’s research revealed some puzzling results that caused many advocates of women in the workplace to fight for justice.
The results of the sexual harassment survey disclosed that over 50% of women at work are subjected to a form of sexual harassment. The sexual harassment included negative comments regarding the women’s bodies as well as sexual assault on various levels. Sexual joking is a form of sexual harassment that 1 out of 3 women in the workplace experience.
Fifty-two percent of the women faced a great deal of unwelcome behavior from their perpetrators that involved “groping, sexual advances, and inappropriate jokes.” Reporting sexual harassment for women ages 16 to 24 increased to 63%, according to the findings.
The study displayed that 1 out of every 8 women who suffered sexual harassment included unwanted physical contact. The unwanted physical contact consisted of sexual contact such as grabbing the chest area or rear end, kissing, or touching the women’s private parts. This kind of sexual harassment is more likely to be labeled as sexual assault in the workplace. Only 1% of the respondents said they experienced criminal sexual conduct such as rape.
A female employee finally decided to depart from the sexual work environment. As her last day came to a close, a male colleague said, “His biggest regret was that he didn’t get a chance to rape her in the storeroom before she left.” The female employee expressed her fear of going to the storeroom since her male colleague would often make questionable remarks that could possibly harm her if she ever went there.
In addition to sexual harassment that takes place from co-workers or employees on the same level, the women report that a boss, supervisor, or an individual with authority sexually harasses around 20% of them in the workplace. One woman said, “The senior person in the organization made a series of jokes about giving the boss a rub down or massage.”
Reporting sexual harassment becomes extremely difficult when the managerial staff is responsible for the sexual harassment women experience at work. According to the results, 4 out of every 5 women object to reporting sexual harassment. The women fear reporting sexual harassment could do more damage than the sexual harassment itself. Women said sexual harassment reports would ruin their work reputation and relationships. The women added that most sexual harassment claims would not be reviewed seriously or investigated to comply with the law.
Advocates of Women in the Workplace responds to Results
The general secretary of TUC, Frances O’Grady, said “sexual harassment has no place in a modern workplace.” She labeled unethical behavior as “undermining and humiliating,” which could damage an employee’s mental health over time.
A Labor Equality representative said, “The law is clear: sexual harassment is discrimination and therefore illegal. Perpetrators must feel the full force of the law.”
The founder of the Everyday Sexism Project, Laura Bates, said according to the results, “There is a gap between the perception and the reality of what women are facing” referring to sexual harassment being non-existent in the workplace.
Bates also argues that women who experience sexual harassment at a young age could be locked into “junior roles or fixed-term contracts.” For older women, sexual harassment may become a part of their reality. Either way, it’s wrong and there are laws such as the Equality Act that protect them from sexual harassment, especially in the manufacturing and hospitality industry where sexual harassment appears to occur the most.
Sexual harassment policies should clearly prohibit sexual harassment and discrimination. In the event that sexual harassment does take place, it is the duty of the managerial staff and HR department to assure the victims that the sexual harassment complaints will be “taken seriously.”
Sexual Harassment Lawyer
The study reflects sexual harassment for women working the UK. Although the location is different, the sexual harassment that women experience there is very similar to the sexual harassment that women experience in the United States. If you have ever endured sexual harassment as an employee in New York City, Miami, New Jersey, or Philadelphia, call us at 800-807-2209 for a free consultation.
Our experienced sexual harassment lawyers are passionate about representing victims of sexual harassment in the workplace, and assisting them with fighting for their rights.
