Sexual harassment is an urgent workplace issue. It’s not just a joke or banter or flirting – if it causes offence then it’s sexual harassment, whether or not the perpetrator says they meant to cause offence.
Sexual harassment can have devastating effects, often leading to ill-health and work-related stress, affecting work performance and a survivor’s personal life.
- 29% of people in employment experienced some form of sexual harassment in their workplace or work-related environment in the last 12 months
- But only 15% reported their experience formally, making it likely that employers underestimate the amount of harassment taking place
2020 sexual harassment survey, Government Equalities Office
- In UNISON surveys in 2024, 1 in 10 healthcare workers reported experiences of sexual harassment, as did 1 in 10 female support staff in secondary schools
UNISON believes that everyone should be treated with dignity and respect at work. So after years of campaigning, we welcome the new Worker Protection Act that comes into effect on 26 October, introducing a new proactive obligation on employers to take preventative steps to eliminate workplace sexual harassment.
UNISON will continue campaigning to strengthen the law further to ensure everyone is protected and has access to justice.
Although anyone can experience sexual harassment, women are more likely to experience sexual harassment than men and perpetrators of sexual harassment are overwhelmingly men. Prevention is key and the first priority in dealing with sexual harassment for trade unions is to eliminate it from the workplace.
Our updated guide can be used by UNISON branches and stewards to negotiate policies that prevent, tackle and deal with incidences of sexual harassment and help promote an ethos of zero tolerance.
Sexual harassment guidance and model policy
What to do if you are being sexually harassed at work
- Speak to a trusted friend or family member.
- Speak to your UNISON rep.
- Keep a record of what has happened to you (including time, date, location and any witnesses or evidence such as copies of letters, text messages, emails, etc, as well as details of any medical help sought).
- If you feel sufficiently safe, tell the harasser to stop. You could ask them in writing. Your UNISON rep should be able to support you. Keep a record of any steps you have taken to stop the sexual harassment and of any response from the harasser.
- Speak to your line manager or, if they are the harasser, to a more senior manager or to the HR department.
- If the problem is not resolved, make a formal complaint using your workplace grievance procedure or the reporting procedure within your workplace anti-harassment policy (if there is one). Your UNISON rep should be able to support you.
- If the issue is still not resolved, you may be able to take it to an employment tribunal. Your UNISON rep should be able to support you.
- You can also contact There for You on 020 7121 5620, email thereforyou@unison.co.uk or speak to your branch welfare officer.
- If you are concerned for your own or someone else’s immediate safety, ring the police on 999. Call 101 to contact the police if the crime is not an emergency.
