Bosses are still failing to tackle sexual harassment issues in the workplace, report warns

BOSSES are failing to combat sexual harassment in the workplace – as they don’t take it seriously enough, a report has warned.

Ministers must move to define unacceptable behaviour and set out disciplinary cases and stipulate penalties for offenders, MPs have said.

Maria Miller, chair of the Women and Equalities Committee, also said she was “particularly disappointed” by regulators in nearly a dozen professions in tackling the problem.

She said: “It’s vital, therefore, that those who oversee employers and professions step up to the mark in setting expectations and taking action where sexual harassment takes place.”

The committee were “astonished” to find that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) does not see tackling workplace sexual harassment “as part of its remit”.

Similarly “striking” was the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) apparent failure to include the problem in any of its annual reports over the last decade since being established in 2007.

Research suggests that 40% of women and 18% of men have experienced some form of unwanted sexual behaviour in the workplace.

That ranges from unwelcome jokes or lewd comments, to serious sexual assaults.

A Government Equalities Office spokesperson 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 are 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.”

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