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People Management - HR manager/expert insight on why almost half of employees don't report sexual harassment / what employers can do

ended 22. March 2024

A journalist for People Management is looking for insight and comment for a story she's working on based on an embargoed report which has found that one in ten (10%) employees have witnessed or experienced sexual harassment at work, but nearly half (49%) of these did not report it. Similarly, almost one third (30%) have seen or experienced bullying at work, with 44% of these not reporting it.

She's angling the story on how few people who have experienced or witnessed sexual harassment - almost half - do not report it in the workplace, and what the barriers are to doing so.

Important to note that the stats are for those who have experienced sexual harassment and bullying as well as those who have witnessed it, so of course there are their own nuances for helping people who have been victim to such things to feel empowered to report compared to those who are witnessing such behaviour.

What can and should employers be doing?

3 responses from the Newspage community

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Adam Myers
Head Of HR Consulting at Stellamar
Simply put, until the 'old watch' accept and admit that bad behaviour, derogatory comments and 'banter' are unacceptable and old fashioned, many of us will still feel that we are unable to call out or report workplace harrassment.

Things are looking up with more focus on training, and education around micro aggressions, however until this is taken seriously behind the board room door our people will continue to suffer.

Training and education for everyone on day one, and a zero tolerance culture are must dos for any business taking their people and culture agenda seriously.
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Gemma Alicia long
HR Director at Gemma Alicia long
As a victim of sexual harrasment at work, I am on a mission to empower employees to speak up!

Employers need to create a culture where employees feels safe to speak up without fear of repercussions.
Building a psychologically safe workplace build of trust and respect is a number one priorty!
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Dr Julie Scanlon
Director at Julie Scanlon Consultancy Ltd
Workplaces are microcosms of the wider world, where sexual harassment is common. Women - the largest proportion of victims - are often not believed and subjected to scrutiny when they speak out. This brings about a further ordeal, so it can feel easier to keep quiet.

Employers need to have safe and confidential reporting structures, with HR professionals trained in understanding the myths around sexual violence and harassment, such as the ‘she was asking for it’ default position.

Employees also need to be trained in what to do if they witness harassment, for example through effective Active Bystander training. It is not appropriate for a witness to report against a victim’s wishes, so witnesses need to understand their role and check in with the victim first.