One in three women has been sexually harassed at work

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 2:29 PM on 8th December 2009

One in three women has endured some form of sexual harassment in the workplace - with most lewd remarks being made by the boss, a study found today.

Thirty-two per cent of those polled said they had been the subject of an inappropriate remark or suggestion, with one in four saying that it came from their immediate manager.

It also revealed that 16 per cent of the country's 29 million workers dreads going to work for fear of facing lecherous colleagues.

Sexual harassment: 32 per cent of women said they had been the subject of an inappropriate remark or suggestion at work

Sexual harassment: 32 per cent of women said they had been the subject of an inappropriate remark or suggestion at work. (Posed by models)

Almost one in five said they had even been forced to fend off advances of a colleague and one in 20 people have quit a job due to constant sexual harassment.

Will Burrows, head of employment law for LawOptions.co.uk, which carried out the study said: 'A massive part of our lives is spent at work, but it can be extremely difficult if you have to face lewd remarks from your colleagues.

'It's even more worrying to think that so many are putting up with this behaviour from their boss.

 

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'Employees are there to do a job and it's wrong that those around you can make you feel uncomfortable while you are trying to get on with what you are paid to do.'

The study of 2,300 workers - both male and female - found that 12 per cent were upset by the remarks, 17 per cent felt angry, and seven per cent lost confidence. Five per cent were even made to feel that the remarks were their own fault.

Fourteen per cent of those polled were dreading their office Christmas parties in case a boss or colleague cornered them.

The study also showed that one in 20 have asked their boss or colleague to stop making the remarks, but 12 per cent of those said it made the situation worse.

'Taking steps to resolve an unsavoury work situation can seem daunting but facing the issue with knowledge of your rights in the workplace is only way to resolve the unwelcome and intimidating behaviour,' Mr Burrows continued.

'With the Christmas party and annual appraisal season upon us, bosses and colleagues can get carried away with the frivolity and a position of power.

'With a tough economic climate still surrounding us, it is more important than ever that employees feel they can resolve issues in the workplace rather than feel they have to leave.'

 
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its all about women isnt it?
what about us men?
im still waiting o be abused

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You shouldn't have to put up with things that make you uncomfortable. My first job was in a department where I was the only woman (aged 22) with 8 men, looking back a lot of the remarks were inappropriate but I just saw it as a harmless way of including me.
I still think that if I had not liked it I would have been justified in claiming harrassment. Now I am older I would say if something bothered me but not everyone has the confidence to do that.
Men are not psychic and if they offend you, you should say so.

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Lewd remarks and behaviour is commonplace. Human nature is everywhere!

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Sadly you'll always get a percentage of women who will always feel harassed whatever the circumstance - whether at work, at home, out shopping... - and for many reasons. They live on their nerves and are incapable of taking a bit of teasing, which is often how men talk, and mean to come across.
And I agree with some of the men's comments here about women being a lot worse sometimes. They can be hideous towards each other and extremely belittling towards men.

As a woman, I don't enjoy overtly sexual conversations with work colleagues, and make that clear, but if the guys see that I can take the comments lightly, they don't usually press the matter and jokes remain relatively tame.

And although I understand that some situations truly can be serious, I'm glad to see in these comments overall that people haven't gone overboard in their reactions to the article.

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it can be just as difficult if not more so, for a boss if a woman comes on to him. It's not always welcome.
- Richard, Torrevieja, Spain, 8/12/2009 16:28


and to work in an office with mainly females can be very intimidating.
- Steve, Bedford, 8/12/2009 19:35


These two comments by men show that sometimes men don't want to just smile demurely and take it as a joke, so why should women.

I think it is more a case that people are different, some people male or female have no problem with sexual 'banter', but sometimes it is more than just a joke - both sexes can take it too far.

The problem could be solved if the person ill at ease could just say so, so that the joker knows it is not welcome, but often rejecting advances can have repercussions - whatever your gender.

So I think it comes down to getting along with people more than a gender issue.

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I agree with Debbie Thomas/Cheltenham & Anon/Scotland, it's better to have a relaxed fun workplace where jokes can be received in the humour with which they are intended. I hate PC-workplaces, and although my current one is shockingly slack - one elderly colleague still uses 'The Coloureds' and 'The Indians' to refer to minority races - I do think lines need to be drawn on occasion.

I had my breasts groped while on a call to a client in one job, and the same person sneaked up behind me and grabbed me between the legs when I was trying to speak to another colleague. I was threatened with the sack if I made a formal complaint because he, as a salesperson, brought in more revenue than I did in Customer Services. I kicked him in the shins (drawing blood) after the second incident, but it didn't mean the incidents happened any less, he treated it as a game. Even the director of my department used to ball up paper and try and throw it down my cleavage!

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