YouGov workplace harassment survey - Female victims more likely

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A new YouGov survey conducted by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust has revealed that harassment either at work or whilst travelling to work is much more likely to happen to women than men.

The findings showed that high levels of violence, aggression, sexual and other unwanted behaviours were reported by those surveyed, with 44% of women experiencing harassment either at or on the way to work, compared to 26% of male workers.

In 83% of the cases reported, the perpetrator was male.

YouGov workplace harassment survey

Of the overall nighttime economy workers surveyed, one-third (34%) had experienced some kind of unwanted behaviour either in the workplace or on the way to work, with 15% of those reporting sexual harassment (of which 28% harassed were women).

60% of those who said they had been harassed had never even reported the harassment to their employer, believing in many cases that no action would be taken. In the same manner, three-quarters of respondents who experienced such harassment in the same circumstances had not reported the matter to police.

In light of these findings, CEO of Suzy Lamplugh Trust Suky Bhaker stated that changes need to be made urgently:

“We urge the government and employers to take all reasonable steps to stamp out workplace harassment via a robust legislative framework, policy and support to help shift the pervasive culture of abuse within the night-time economy.”

The Trust is therefore making the following recommendations for policy amendments:

Governmental support of the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Bill, which would legislate for preventative duty, requiring that employers take all reasonable steps to stamp out workplace sexual harassment and also protecting women from third parties inflicting sexual harassment.
The government should co-operate with specialist service, ensuring that a national framework exists that can be used to tackle harassment within businesses. Initiatives such as the Women’s Night Safety Charter would be used to build best practices, alongside training for bystanders.
Legislative changes are urgently needed to ensure the individual right to safety in public spaces. The government must propose to make public sexual harassment a standalone offence.
Funding urgently needed for women and girls’ safety on UK public transport, with continued funding for safer public spaces through the Safer Streets Fund. Transport systems must facilitate regular and round the clock service to ensure that workers can make it safely to and from their workplace.
Government is encouraged to collect and publish data on issues such as sexual harassment, alongside how it has impacted those who have experienced it in an effort to support others.
Employers should publish personal safety policies. Where no policy is currently standing, liaising with specialist organisations is suggested to help in implementing one.

After the Private Members Bill passed its Second Reading in the house, MP Wera Hobhouse is cautiously optimistic with how things are progressing, stating:

“It aims to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace by forcing employers to ensure that their workplaces are safe,” she said. “This Bill, alongside the work of organisations like the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, I hope will start the culture shift we desperately need.”

YouGov workplace harassment survey – Women more likely to be victimised

A new YouGov survey conducted by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust has revealed that harassment either at work or whilst travelling to work is much more likely to happen to women than men.

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