n By Hajera Blagg


12 months afterwards until another female colleague reported them, and then action was finally taken,” she added.


The findings reinforce the need for stronger workplace protections, effective reporting mechanisms and collective action to ensure women feel safe coming forward.


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No woman should go to work only to suffer harassment and urgent change is needed in the sector. We will fight every step of the way to ensure Unite’s campaign demands become a reality


Paul Travers, Unite national officer


As entrenched as the problem of workplace sexual harassment is, Unite members are increasingly speaking out about their experiences, and Unite is determined to tackle the problem head-on.


The survey was published last year as part of Unite’s Zero Tolerance to Sexual Harassment campaign.


Some of the measures it’s calling for include the introduction of a standalone sexual harassment policy; mandatory training on sexual harassment for all employees; and a commitment to recognise union equality representatives with paid time off.


The campaign is also lobbying for the deadline for lodging a claim in an employment tribunal to be extended from three months after the incident occurred to six months.


“The reason I couldn't report it was they both had been pulled in for [other incidents] - one for sending explicit photos and the other for kissing a customer which was on CCTV. Neither got reprimanded, just told not to do it again.”


This experience was reflected in the wider figures. The survey found 44 cent have been sexually harassed more than twice, while 41 per cent had experienced it more than once.


But almost three quarters – 74 per cent of respondents – did not report these incidents. And until there's better support, who can blame them?


After all, many women said they either had to carry on working with abusers after reporting incidents or were even forced out of their own job roles.


One respondent said, "I reported disgusting behaviour and sexual comments from contractors which I had put up with for over two years, and nothing was ever done about it.


“I refused to work with them in the end and they were still given work for over


Unite is calling on the government to put in extra legal protections, such as classifying third party harassment and sexual harassment as a workplace injury by the Health and Safety Executive.


Commenting on the survey, Unite national officer Paul Travers said, “No woman should go to work only to suffer harassment and urgent change is needed in the sector. We will fight every step of the way to ensure Unite’s campaign demands become a reality.”


Meanwhile, Unite national women’s officer Alison Spencer-Scragg highlighted that the Worker Protection Act, which came into effect in October, is simply not fit for purpose.


The Act legally obliges employers to take measures to prevent sexual harassment from happening in the workplace and at work events such as conferences, Alison explained.


NEED HELP?


Been sexually harassed or witnessed harassment? Contact your Unite rep first – or email our dedicated Unite equalities team confidentially at UniteWomen@unitetheunion.org


17 uniteLANDWORKER Summer 2026


“But the Worker Protection Act has not gone far enough in keeping women who work in the FDA sector safe from sexual harassment at their workplace,” she said.


“Employers are not taking their obligations seriously despite the fact it is the law,” Alison added.


“This is creating a culture where sexual harassment is going unreported, while those who do take the issues forward are left feeling disbelieved, forced to work with abusers and even losing their roles.


“Unite is calling on the government to take our demands seriously to stamp out sexual harassment in FDA firms and workplaces,” Alison continued.


“By working together through their union, workers are making clear that harassment cannot be accepted as part of working life and that meaningful change is both necessary and achievable.”


While the survey paints a stark picture of the experiences many women face, it has also provided a powerful platform for workers to have their voices heard.


Unite says the findings will strengthen its campaign for safer workplaces and help drive collective efforts to ensure harassment is challenged wherever it occurs.


FIND OUT MORE


You can find more information about Unite’s zero tolerance to sexual harassment campaign here: bit.ly/40hZAtk or scan the QR code.


The campaign is currently promoting the stand-alone sexual harassment policy at NISCs, as well as exploring ‘be more than a bystander’ training for all reps.


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