Safe at work?
Do we really know what inappropriate behaviour means in the workplace?
When movie producer Harvey Weinstein was accused of sexual harassment, assault and rape in 2017 it sparked the #MeToo campaign, where women across the world came forward to tell of unwanted behaviour they had also endured. Other famous stars, including Kevin Spacey and Bill Cosby, were also called out on their behaviour and it seemed that attitudes would finally change.
But, even now, do we really know what qualifies as sexual harassment?
‘Do any of us actually know how to behave in the workplace?’ asks presenter Ben Zand. ‘What is acceptable and what is not acceptable?’
For this fascinating new documentary, 20 people aged between 18 and 30 are asked to watch a drama about two characters, Cat and Ryan, over two days and then to vote at various stages on whether
Ryan’s behaviour towards Cat is offensive and unwanted.
And, as their attitudes change as the programme progresses, they also get to meet Keith, a man wrongly accused of sexually harassing a colleague.
‘I never ever thought in a million years that someone could be so cruel and vicious and so vindictive to accuse another person wrongfully of sexual harassment,’ explains Keith. There is also testimony from Helen, who won a tribunal against her former colleagues, who had subjected her to sexual harassment.
‘I felt unable to stand up for myself,’ admits Helen. ‘I couldn’t be myself. I am normally quite a warm and smiley person, but I thought, “Am I leading someone on just by being me?” I was put on the spot, intimidated and called a liar – they insinuated I would have enjoyed it.’
Finally, after the group votes for the last time on whether Ryan’s behaviour constitutes sexual harassment, a barrister gives the official verdict and the results are surprising.
‘I do feel more confident to be able to speak up about sexual harassment after this,’ says one voter. ‘Now I’ve witnessed first hand how it affects people.’