The government must toughen up laws to deal with employers who fail to protect staff from sexual harassment at work, says UNISON today (Friday).
A properly enforceable law enabling all employers to be held to account if they fail to act was promised by the government last year, says the union.
Sexual harassment in the workplace is one of the issues due to be discussed at UNISON’s virtual women’s conference later today.
Last July, the government pledged to make bosses legally responsible if their employees were subjected to unwanted sexual behaviour in the workplace.
However, these reforms proposed by women and equalities minister Liz Truss, which could see employers end up in court, have still to be published.
UNISON says the delay is concerning given that sexual harassment is a pervasive problem. It can include patients or other members of the public who target staff at their places of work.
Employees on the receiving end often don’t report the abuse for fear of reprisal or losing their jobs, says UNISON.
UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said: “Zero-tolerance workplace policies on abuse and sexual harassment simply don’t go far enough. All too often employers use them as a tick-box exercise.
“Some bosses will only act to change workplace culture if they are made accountable in law and fear being taken to court. A legal duty on employers to prevent harassment and unacceptable behaviour is long overdue.
“Ministers must make this a priority, otherwise the lives of countless workers will continue to be ruined by the perpetrators.”
Notes to editors:– In July 2021, the government published its response to a consultation and stated that it intended to introduce a duty requiring employers to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. Ministers said explicit protection from third-party harassment would be included.– UNISON’s annual women’s conference started yesterday (Thursday) and concludes today.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk
