Sexism in the workplace Shocking level of sexual harassment suffered by women public sector staff

Nearly two-thirds of women have suffered sexual harassment at work, and one in 10 have suffered physical or mental violence. Annie McLaughlin reports

NEW research has revealed shocking levels of sexism and harassment in Scotland’s public sector workplaces. Nearly two-thirds of employees surveyed by the charity Zero Tolerance, which campaigns to end violence against women, said they had suffered or witnessed sexual harassment at work, and one in 10 female respondents had been subjected to physical or mental violence in the workplace, including rape and sexual assault.

The survey set out to assess what measures employers are taking to protect women from harassment and vio- lence at work. It also found that sexism and misogyny are an everyday occurrence for many employees.

Amy Marshall, Zero Tolerance’s educators and employers development officer, said: “I was shocked but not surprised at the level of casualised misogyny and violence taking place, particularly in the public sector. The longterm effects are simply untold. Women reported that they were stressed, agitated and depressed, suggesting a mental-health time bomb.”

Women described a range of experiences, including unwanted sexual advances, sexual comments directed at themselves or other women and accusations that they had slept with senior colleagues to climb the career ladder.

Some 31 per cent were unsure about whether their employer would be supportive if they reported sexism or harassment, with some saying they had felt unable to report past abuse for fear of recriminations.

One woman said: “I was being sexually harassed by the director. There was also a culture of casual racism, sexism and homophobia which made me feel like, if I made a complaint, I would be ostracised. In the end, I threatened a complaint and the director apologised and stopped harassing me. However, he no longer asked me to do certain tasks, which threatened my chances of progression. I felt like I did not want to work there any more. I felt panicked, I had trouble sleeping sometimes. In the end, I left.”

Another said: “It had a negative impact on my confidence and ability to focus on the job. I felt disgusted by my colleague’s sexual innuendos but felt unable to speak up about it. I assumed people would say that I had somehow invited it.”

The Sunday Herald has been given exclusive access to the findings, which surveyed 600 women. The research is the first of its kind to assess levels of sexism, harassment and violence against women in Scottish workplaces.

In August last year, UK-wide research by the trades unions and the Everyday Nearly twothirds of employees surveyed by Zero Tolerance said they had suffered or witnessed sexual harassment at work Sexism Project found that half of all women and nearly two-thirds of women aged 18 to 24 had experienced sexual harassment at work. One in five women reported that they had experienced unwanted sexual advances, with one in eight being touched intimately or kissed against their will.

Emma Ritch, executive director of Engender, Scotland’s feminist organisation campaigning against sexism and gender inequality, said recent research “suggests that over half of women in UK workplaces have experienced some form of sexual harassment”.

She said: “Despite the proliferation of workplace policies that pay lip service to equality and dignity at work, organisations are failing to get a grip of their employees’ harmful and damaging behaviour.

“Tolerating sexual harassment sends a powerful signal to female employees that they and their work are not respected and valued. Employers and unions need to work together to identify where it is happening in indi-