Sexual harassment still too common, says EOC
10 Jun 06
New guidelines published on 20th anniversary of landmark case
Twenty years after Jean Porcelli brought her landmark sexual harassment case, the practice remains all too common, according to the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC).
Mrs Porcelli's case established sexual harassment as a form of discrimination under the Sex Discrimination Act (SDA) in 1986, but according to the EOC sexual harassment is still one of the top five reasons people call its helpline.
EOC research shows that over the last five years, there has been one successful sexual harassment case brought each week, and sexual harassment cases comprise 22% of all successful sex discrimination cases.
Early findings from the research, to be released later this year, suggests sexual harassment is most common:
- where there are far more men than women or vice versa;
- where one sex, typically men, holds the positions of power and junior roles are held by the other sex;
- during periods of job insecurity or when a new supervisor or manager is appointed;
- where the leadership style is either too authoritarian or too laissez-faire.
Guidelines for employers
To coincide with the anniversary of Mrs Porcelli's case, the EOC is publishing new guidelines to help employers prevent sexual harassment from happening in the first place – and deal more effectively with it when it does.
Among the issues addressed in the guidelines are the need for well-communicated policies, an effective complaints procedure, and training to help staff investigate complaints confidentially and compassionately.
Mrs Porcelli, a school science technician working for the then Strathclyde Regional Council, brought her case after experiencing sexual harassment from two male colleagues.
She looked to the SDA to challenge her treatment and ensure that her employer took action to address the workplace culture.
"Tip of the iceberg"
Jenny Watson, chair of the Equal Opportunities Commission, said: "Twenty years on from Jean Porcelli's landmark case, sexual harassment is still an issue causing women stress, health problems and financial penalties when they leave their jobs to avoid it.
"We suspect that the cases that come to our attention are the tip of the iceberg. It's important for women to know what they can do to tackle harassment - and for employers to know how they can help stamp it out in the workplace.
"Creating a workplace in which everyone is valued and in which there is no place for bullying or harassment helps to boost morale and productivity, and of course helps to avoid the high costs of tribunal claims."