Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “In recent years the scale and extent of sexual harassment in the workplace has been thrown into sharp focus. At least 40% of women have experienced workplace harassment.  Usdaw’s survey found the majority of women, 7 in 10, have experienced sexual harassment at some point in their working lives. This rises to 9 out of 10 young women.
 
“It is widely recognised that sexual harassment is not just about the behaviour of a few individuals but is about the culture of workplaces where everyday behaviours create offensive, intimidating or hostile environments for workers, predominantly women.  The majority of women who are exposed to harassment at work don’t raise this either with their employer or with their union.  This is primarily a rational response given the likelihood of their not being believed, their complaint being mishandled and the high risk of isolation, victimisation and negative personal and career consequences
 
“Trade Unions have a vital role to play in encouraging women to report harassment; ensuring appropriate action is taken and preventing harassment from arising in the first place by changing and influencing workplace cultures and negotiating robust workplace policies and procedures.“ 
 
Notes for editors:
 
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest trade union with around 360,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades.
 
Sexual Harassment... 'Call It Out': https://www.usdaw.org.uk/Campaigns/Sexual-Harassment
 
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion