1 in 2 women face harassment in the workplace

The study, described as one of the most extensive pieces of research on sexual harassment at work in Europe, also showed the figure was much higher – two thirds – for women aged 18-24.

Of those surveyed, 32 per cent of women had been subject to unwelcome jokes while at work and more than one in four women had been the subject of comments of a sexual nature about their body or clothes.

Nearly a quarter – 23 per cent – had experienced unwanted touching – like a hand on the knee or lower back, and a fifth had experienced unwanted verbal sexual advances at work. Around one in eight women had experienced unwanted sexual touching or attempts to kiss them.

Nearly one in five – 17 per cent – women reported that the harassment came from their line manager, or someone with direct authority over them.

The survey, published today in a joint report between the TUC and the Everyday Sexism Project called Still Just A Bit of Banter?, also finds that around four out of five women who said they experienced sexual harassment at work did not tell their employer about what was happening.

Some thought reporting it would impact negatively on their relationships at work or on their career prospects, while others were too embarrassed to talk about it or felt they would not be believed or taken seriously.

The TUC and the Everyday Sexism Project are calling on the Government to take action against sexual harassment and adopt a series of measures including abolishing employment tribunal fees to give more people access to justice – it currently costs £1,200 to take a case to court.

They also want the reinstatement of provisions in the Equality Act which placed a duty on employers to protect workers from third-party harassment and protection for women on zero-hours contracts or agency staff.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “How many times do we still hear that sexual harassment in the workplace is just a bit of ‘banter’?

“Let’s be clear – sexual harassment is undermining, humiliating and can have a huge effect on mental health. Victims are often left feeling ashamed and frightened. It has no place in a modern workplace, or in wider society.

“Employers must be clear they have a zero tolerance attitude to sexual harassment and treat any complaint seriously. It’s a scandal that so few women feel their bosses are dealing with the issue properly.

“Anyone worried about inappropriate behaviour at work should join a union to make sure they are protected and respected at work.”

Laura Bates, founder of The Everyday Sexism Project, said many people would like to think that workplace sexual harassment was a thing of the past.

She said: “In reality, it is alive and well, and having a huge impact on tens of thousands of women’s lives.

“These findings reveal the shameful extent of the problem and the reality of the touching, unwanted advances, and inappropriate comments women find themselves confronted with while simply trying to do their jobs.

“This is shameful behaviour that has no place in 2016.”