Workers who are subject to sexual harassment at work suffer more sickness and are at risk of a wide range of serious health problems as a consequence, a new report has said. ‘It’s not OK’, a special report from Hazards magazine, notes: “The consequence of sexual harassment is that workers suffer physical or mental harm. Frequently, they suffer both.” The report cites studies that have shown sexual harassment can lead to post traumatic stress disorder, higher levels of sick leave, psychosocial distress, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, drug and alcohol misuse, pain disorders, work loss and worsening health overall. “Sexual harassment is an everyday fact of working life for many women, too ordinary to interest the media and too scared or concerned for their jobs to cry for help,” the report says. 

Citing TUC studies and guidance, it concludes: “When it comes to sexual harassment, workers depend on unions to support and defend them. And unions need to make sure this representation is matched by workplace prevention. Sexual harassment at work is about violence and power. It takes union power to stop it.”