Me Too | Sexual harassment deemed a 'necessary evil' in this workplace

Sexual harassment can be devastating within a business, not just because of the controversy that inevitably follows it, or the disruption to business, productivity and company culture – but because it has the potential to truly damage the life of an employee under the supposed watchful eye of HR.  

Due to the severity of sexual harassment, workers may take comfort in the perception that it is in fact not a common issue – however, this is far from the case. Government research conducted in 2018 discovered that 40% of women and 18% of men had experienced unwanted sexual behaviour in the workplace.

However, since the advent of the Me Too movement, reporting of sexual harassment has increased 54% – this is not a rise in cases, but of cases being reported, instead of ignored. Yet, some workplaces are still infamous for being rife with unreported harassment – one of which, shockingly, is the UK Government – The Telegraph reports.

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#MeToo | Does HR actually help victims of harassment?

An independent enquiry found that abuse directed towards staff is both “widespread” and “a significant problem” that continues to persist in Westminster. The report, which was made available to the public this morning, says that the House of Commons has still not “sufficiently” addressed the problems faced by staff – some of whom have noted that the reporting of which would be akin to “career suicide”.