- Conference
- 2019 National Women's Conference
- Date
- 24 October 2018
- Decision
- Carried
#MeToo has transformed the debate around sexual harassment, with cases being reported in the media more than ever before. UNISON needs to ensure that the voices of working women are highlighted in the #MeToo debate, and that young women know UNISON can support them in cases of sexual harassment.
The Young Women’s Trust found in 2018 that 24% of young women would be reluctant to report sexual harassment at work for fear of losing their jobs. A further 15% of young women had been sexually harassed at work and not reported it. Only 8% of women who experienced sexual harassment said they had reported the incident. 17% are worried they would be offered fewer hours if they reported sexual harassment.
Worryingly, 32% of young women said they did not know how to report sexual harassment in their organisation.
UNISON, as the union with over 1 million women, needs to lead the way with challenging sexual harassment, and empowering branches and young women members to do so. By developing innovative work in this area, UNISON can pioneer and champion unions as a place for support when sexual harassment occurs.
This Conference calls on the National Women’s Committee to:
• Work with the National Young Member’s Forum to develop a ‘Call It Out!’ campaign, aimed at young women in UNISON; liaising with appropriate external organisations such as NUS
• Work with appropriate bodies within UNISON to conduct research of women in UNISON and the sexual harassment they experience, in order to develop toolkits for branches that are reflective of the different sectors we represent
• Work with LabourLink to raise with MPs the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace.
• Liaise with the NEC to make this a strategic priority with respect to recruitment and organising of young women