Monica Atwal comments in Metro on ‘What should you do if you’re sexually harassed at work?’

The last 12 months have seen a monumental cultural change, particularly for women. With the #MeToo movement, people are able to call out sexual abuse and harassment in ways that wouldn’t previously have been possible. Monica Atwal comments in Metro on ‘What should you do if you’re sexually harassed at work?’.

“Sexual harassment is defined in the Equality Act 2010 as “unwanted conduct of a sexual nature which has the purpose or effect of violating someone’s dignity, or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive treatment for them”, Ms Atwal said.

“In practice, this covers a wide range of behaviour – everything from suggestive remarks to unwanted touching, leering, or sharing pornography around the office.”

“Employers need to be aware that they can be held liable for the actions of their employees that engage in sexual harassment. It is a fine line that may seem innocent, but claiming any unwanted conduct was meant as a joke or compliment is not a defence. As a result, many businesses have systems in place to deal with complaints, with an eye to preventing them in the first place.”

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Ideally you should then formally report it as soon as you can, because witnesses’ memories can fade and evidence can be lost over time.

‘The law provides for further protection once a complaint has been raised, making victimisation an offence,’ Ms Atwal added.

‘If the harassment is on a mass scale, as has been suggested with the Dorchester Hotel event, any individual may also have the added protection afforded by whistleblowing legislation.

‘Compensation for sexual harassment is uncapped at a tribunal and can be significant, with awards for an individual who loses their job as a result of the harassment as well as injury to feelings, which alone can be in excess of £30,000.’

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