A new survey has revealed that more than half of women have been victims of sexual harassment – with over three in ten stating that they had been sexually harassed at work.
The results, taken from a Sky Data poll, showed that a quarter of men responded as saying that they too had been victims of sexual harassment.
The data poll found that, at work, 31% of women and 13% of men say they have been sexually harassed.
These findings come after the multiple allegations of sexual harassment and abuse against Harvey Weinstein.
In response, many women, as well as some men, have started tweeting #metoo, banding together on social media to stand-up to alleged sexual harassment.
And, with numerous high-profile allegations of sexual harassment surfacing over the last few weeks, there is increasing awareness of what constitutes improper behaviour in a workplace setting.
In the US, says Nina Frank of Outten & Golden’s sexual harassment and sex discrimination practice group, there are two categories of sexual harassment: “Quid pro quo (‘Sleep with me and I’ll promote you’) and hostile work environment (general sexual comments/touching/jokes). It is not uncommon for both to be present.”
However, the Financial Times report that in the UK no such demarcations exist. However, under the Equality Act 2010 “any unwanted conduct of a sexual nature or related to sex, which has the purpose or the effect of violating dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment” is prohibited.
The Financial Times have also published four steps, as suggested by Kiran Daurka, a Partner at Leigh Day, for dealing with sexual harassment at work.
Click next to find out what they are.
