Speaking at Usdaw’s Annual Delegate Meeting in Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, Dave Mc Crossen – Usdaw Deputy General Secretay said: “No one should be subject to harassment, abuse or violence simply as a result of trying to do their job. Usdaw's research and that of the TUC shows that young workers are disproportionately impacted by harassment and abuse at work and this harassment can take many forms.
 
“Sexual harassment is a predominant concern for women, and young women in particular. Last year, Usdaw's sexual harassment survey found that nine in ten young women had been a victim of sexual harassment in the workplace in the past 12 months. That's nine in ten young women being sexually harassed merely as a result of turning up to work. That is appalling and it must not be tolerated.
 
“Young people are also more likely to face other types of harassment from third parties. We are all too aware of customers who think they have a right to shout and abuse staff, those who take a 'customer is always right' philosophy to extreme levels. Usdaw is, and will always be, absolutely clear that no member of the public has a right to shout at, abuse or attempt to bully workers.
 
“We have always worked with employers to negotiate robust anti-harassment policies, but it is clear that these policies need to be backed up by strong legislation.
This Conservative Government has systematically weakened and dismantled the UK's existing equality framework and it has removed the third party harassment protection that was previously in the Equality Act.
 
“This has had an impact on young workers’ mental health and their performance. It has created a culture whereby reporting instances of harassment feels futile. As a Union we take a zero tolerance approach to all forms of harassment and abuse.”
 
Notes for editors:
 
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest and the fastest growing trade union with over 420,000 members. Membership has increased by more than one-third over the last couple of decades. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
 
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