Groping, touching and sexual assault 'part of culture' of British workplaces, major study finds

Sexual harassment 'widespread and commonplace' but the government and employers are failing to tackle the problem, MPs say

Sexual harassment is “widespread and commonplace” in British workplaces but the government and employers are failing to tackle the problem, MPs have said.

The highly critical assessment comes after a major six-month study found that groping, touching and sexual assault were part of the culture of British industry.

The Women and Equalities Committee said employers are “ignoring” their responsibilities to protect staff from sexual harassment, and urged ministers to put the issue to the top of the policy agenda.

Legal protection is not always available to workers in practice, the committee said.

“It is shameful that unwanted sexual behaviours such as sexual comments, touching, groping and assault are seen as an everyday occurrence and part of the culture in workplaces,” said the MPs’ report.

“Currently, there is little incentive for employers and regulators to take robust action to tackle and prevent unwanted sexual behaviours in the workplace.

“In contrast, there is considerable focus on protecting people’s personal data and preventing money laundering, with stringent requirements on employers and businesses to meet their responsibilities in these areas. They should now put the same emphasis on tackling sexual harassment.”

The report details a number of priorities, including the introduction of a new duty for employers to prevent harassment. It also said regulators should play a more active role, barriers to taking cases to employment tribunals must be reduced and a statutory code of practice to cover workers should be introduced.

Committee chair Maria Miller said it was “utterly shameful” that unwanted sexual comments, touching, groping and assault are seen as an everyday occurrence and part of the culture in many workplaces.

“Government, regulators and employers have been dodging their responsibilities for far too long,” she said.

“The effects of sexual harassment can be traumatic and devastating, and this is reinforced by the personal evidence we received.

“The lack of appropriate support for victims within the workplace cannot continue.

“The burden falls unacceptably on the individual to hold harassers and employers to account when they will already hesitate to do so due to fear of victimisation. The current system is inadequate.

“The tribunal system must provide an effective remedy for employees.”

The committee said non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) such as the one signed by Zelda Perkins, former assistant to disgraced former film mogul Harvey Weinstein, should not be used to stop victims reporting unwanted sexual behaviour.

The true scale of the problem is hidden by the fact that employers do not collect data on the prevalence of workplace harassment, the MPs said, adding that most incidents are not reported. Employers should begin to collect “robust” data, the report said.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “More than half of women in the UK have been sexually harassed at work.

“Sexual harassment has a huge impact on women’s lives and careers, so it’s good to see the select committee recommending tough action.

“The TUC supports making employers responsible for preventing sexual harassment. And it’s good to see the committee recommend long-overdue reforms to the tribunal system so that it works for victims of sexual harassment, and a new code of practice for employers too.”

Young Women’s Trust chief executive Dr Carole Easton said: “Too many young women are facing sexual harassment while trying to carry out their jobs. It is shocking how many employers are aware of this in their own workplace – yet are not taking action.”

Matthew Fell, CBI Chief UK Policy Director, said: “Businesses are committed to stamping out sexual harassment and take the welfare of their employees very seriously.

“Sexual harassment, wherever it takes place, is illegal and totally unacceptable – not least in your place of work. Yet alarmingly it continues to affect too many people and the committee has placed some welcome recommendations on the table to help tackle this.

“Firms understand they have a duty of care and are actively building inclusive workplaces where everyone feels safe, supported and able to challenge unacceptable behaviour.

“Government and businesses must work together to ensure that everyone is aware of their rights and responsibilities and that the existing law is robustly enforced.”

A Government Equalities Office spokesman said: “Workplace sexual harassment is against the law.

“Any behaviour that causes people to feel intimidated or humiliated in the workplace is unacceptable, and failure to comply with the law must not be tolerated.

“We will be considering the findings of this report very carefully as we work to stamp out harassment, protect victims and ensure everybody can feel respected and safe at work.”