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Sexual Harassment...'Call It Out'

Usdaw believes everyone has the right to work in a safe and supportive environment

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About this campaign

Experiencing sexual harassment is one of the most difficult situations that a person can face in the workplace. No workplace is immune from sexual harassment. Wherever sexual harassment occurs, it must be stopped. Zero tolerance: no excuses!

How to support the campaign

To help create workplaces free from sexual harassment, we will support Usdaw reps who want to run workplace campaigns. Reps can find out more about the campaign and how to get involved. There are also some handy advice leaflets for Reps:

Sexual Harassment at Work - Advice for reps (Leaflet 301)
Sexual 'Banter' at Work...It's Not OK (Leaflet 434)

Below are a number of posters you can add to your workplace noticeboard:

Sexual Harassment is not ok (Poster 1)
Sexual Harassment is not ok (Poster 2)
Sexual Harassment is not ok (Poster 3)

If you'd like to run a campaign, you can order a campaign pack online.

Share your story If you've experienced sexual harassment in your workplace, help us raise awareness by sharing your story. Contact the magazine team at [email protected]

This is not working

Sexual harassment has no place in the workplace but, according to a TUC poll, well over 50% of women say they have experienced it in work. Four out of five feel like they are unable to tell their employer.

It can’t just be down to individuals to prevent and manage harassment.

Call it out

Usdaw members who have faced sexual harassment say it’s often hard to deal with, especially when other colleagues laugh at so-called jokes and join in with the banter.

In the heat of the moment, fear, anger, shame, embarrassment or panic can make it very difficult to respond – knowing other people are on your side really helps.

This short film shows why it helps for us to call out sexual harassment and suggests some ways you can challenge it.

What We’ve Achieved So Far

In November 2023, the Government passed the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023. The new bill puts a duty on employers to stop harassment instead of relying on employees to report incidents.

There is more to be done after the bill was amended to require employers to take “reasonable steps” rather than “all reasonable steps…” to prevent harassment in their workplace. The law came into force in October 2024.

UNI Global Union - No excuses campaign

Experiencing sexual harassment is one of the most difficult situations that a person can face in the workplace. No workplace is immune from sexual harassment.

Wherever sexual harassment occurs, it must be stopped.

ZERO TOLERANCE: NO EXCUSES.

Sexual Harassment...Call it Out

"Changing workplace culture is often the first step in preventing sexual harassment. By running Usdaw's 'Call it Out' campaign, reps have been able to have a positive impact on how workers and management think about the issue."

 

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary 

22 April 2024

"In recent years, Usdaw has made significant progress in raising awareness of rights and establishing workplace policies as well as equipping reps and members with the tools they need to help put an end to sexual harassment in the workplace."

 

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary 

22 April 2024

"Unions have a vital role to play in ending sexual harassment in the workplace. We have members' trust and as such we are best placed to listen and respond to members' concerns."

 

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary

22 April 2024