More than half (55%) of women believe the women in their workplace are at risk of sexual harassment, with nearly one in ten (8%) saying they feel the risk is ‘significant’, a new survey*.

The survey of 1,002 women who work at organisations of 250+ employees, also found that a quarter (25%) of women said they have witnessed sexual harassment in their workplace within the last five years, with more than one in ten (11%) saying they have witnessed sexual harassment multiple times.

The research comes ahead of a change to the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 on October 26 2024, when employers will come under a mandatory duty to prevent sexual harassment. The new duty is for employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of employees in the course of their employment.

However, the survey findings suggest many organisations are failing to implement effective measures to reduce the likelihood of sexual harassment in the workplace** – less than half (48%) think their employer has developed a clear sexual harassment policy, less than a third (32%) believe their employer has implemented a fair and impartial investigation process, and nearly one in five (17%) of women said their workplace has not taken any actions to reduce the likelihood of sexual harassment in the workplace.

The findings of the survey also call into question employers’ reporting procedures for sexual harassment. Although many respondents said they would know how to report sexual harassment if they witnessed it, experienced it or were told about it (83%), a marked number said they would not know what to do. 16% of those surveyed said they would not know how to report sexual harassment if they witnessed it, 14% would not know how to report sexual harassment if they experienced it, and one in five (20%) would not know how to report sexual harassment if they were told about it.

Nearly a fifth (19%) of those surveyed agreed that their organisation would not take effective action if sexual harassment was reported, with 7% of those strongly agreeing, which suggests a lack of trust in organisational accountability.

Although 85% of women surveyed said they do feel their organisation’s leadership is committed to creating a safe space and respectful work environment for women employees, less than half (44%) think they are ‘very committed’ to doing so, and more than one in ten (13%) believe their employer is not committed.

Suki Sandhu OBE, founder & CEO of INvolve, says: “The results of this study are deeply concerning and show just how much more work businesses need to do to ensure that women employees are safe in the workplace.. The safety of employees must be a priority, but our research shows that many organisations are not taking the protection of women in the workplace seriously.

“This data presents an urgent need for organisations to revisit their sexual harassment policies and ensure they are not only clear, but are also effectively implemented and communicated to all employees. Whilst we welcome the update to the Worker Protection Act, it’s important to remember that it outlines the bare minimum requirement from employers. If organisations are serious about the inclusion of women they must foster an environment where sexual harassment is unequivocally unacceptable at all levels and for all employees.

“Leaders must take responsibility and become accountable for real change by bridging the gap between commitment and action, and following through with effective and preventative measures. Employers must ensure women are safe and supported and do everything they can to eradicate sexual harassment from the workplace.”

*Commissioned by INvolve