Sexual harassment in the workplace seriously impacts the wellbeing and mental health of those affected. For organisations it leads to decreased employee morale, productivity and job satisfaction, while increasing absenteeism and legal liabilities.
The urgency of addressing the matter has come into sharp focus with the recent high-profile case involving Mohamed Al Fayed, the former Harrods owner. The disturbing allegations against Al Fayed serve as a stark reminder of the pervasive nature of sexual harassment and the significant challenges faced by victims seeking justice.
But how prevalent is sexual harassment in the workplace and who is most affected? Here we share the most enlightening sexual harassment in the workplace statistics.
What is the most common form of harassment?
According to the Office for National Statistics, sexual harassment is the most common form of harassment experienced by women.
Men are more likely to suffer non-sexual forms of harassment, such as bullying or racial harassment.
What percentage of people are sexually harassed at work?
The Government Equalities Office reports that almost 72% of the UK population has experienced sexual harassment at work in their lifetime.
Who is more likely to get harassed?
Women are 3.6 times more likely to experience sexual harassment than men, according to Eurofound.
Worryingly, healthcare workers are 3 times more likely to experience sexual harassment than any other profession.
The Nursing Times reports that 60% of nurses have experienced sexual harassment at work. In 58% of cases the perpetrator was a patient, and in 26% of cases the perpetrator was a medical colleague.
How many women are sexually harassed in the workplace?
A TUC poll found that out of 1000 women, 3 in 5 said they had experienced bullying, verbal abuse or sexual harassment at work. This figure rose to 2 in 3 women in the 25 to 34 age group.
How many women don’t report sexual harassment?
30% of women who experience sexual harassment do not report it to their employer. 39% of this group do not report it because they don’t hink they will be believed, 37% think it will affect their relationships at work, and 25% believe it will have a negative effect on their career, according to a TUC poll.
What percentage of men have experienced one form of harassment?
The Government Equalities Commission 2020 report states that 7.2% of men experienced some form of harassment, and 2.7% reported sexual harassment.
However, studies such as Male Victims of Sexual Assault, have found that men are less likely to report incidences of sexual harassment than women.
How many LGBT+ people have experienced sexual harassment?
7 out of 10 LGBT+ people have experienced sexual harassment at work, according to a TUC poll. Out of those people, 47% said they had comments of a sexual nature directed at them.
Who are the most common perpetrators of harassment?
Men are more likely to be the perpetrators of sexual harassment. The Government Equalities Office reports that 63% of those who experienced sexual harassment in the workplace in 2020 said the perpetrator was a man and 21% said the perpetrator was a woman.
Is the perpetrator of sexual harassment often a colleague?
A TUC poll found that 3 out of 5 incidents of sexual harassment in the workplace are perpetuated by members of staff, and 2 out of 5 incidents are perpetuated by third parties such as clients.
How many people leave their jobs as a result of sexual harassment?
A TUC report states that 7% of women want to leave their job because of sexual harassment but cannot do so for financial reasons, and 6% have left their jobs as a result.
Women may leave their jobs rather than reporting sexual harassment as they are concerned about the consequences, according to a Women and Equalities Select Committee (WESC) report.
Are disabled people more likely to experience sexual harassment at work?
At the moment there is not enough statistical evidence to draw a conclusion. However, a TUC survey of LGBT+ people found disabled women in this group were twice as likely to experience sexual assault.
In addition, people with disabilities are three times more likely to be physically abused or assaulted, and a proportion of vulnerable people are unable to report it due to communication or cognitive challenges.
Preventing sexual harassment at work
Sexual harassment in the workplace is against the law, but it still happens. Under the new Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 employers have a duty to take proactive steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.
To find out more about an employer’s responsibilities, please listen to our webinar, Sexual harassment in the workplace – how does new legislation affect employers?
At Praxis42, we also offer Preventing Sexual Harassment Training, which helps your organisation comply with the law by ensuring employees recognise incidences of sexual harassment, understand the consequences and have the confidence to report it.
To find out more, please visit our Preventing Sexual Harassment Training webpage, or contact our friendly team today on 0203 011 4242 or info@praxis42.com.
