This article explains the steps that you should take to report any incidents of sexual harassment at work.
Reporting sexual harassment
If you are being sexually harassed (or suspect another person is being sexually harassed) please report it to your manager and HR as soon as possible.
We can then support you in handling the situation formally or informally.
You should report it by either:
- asking for an urgent meeting with your manager and HR; or
- sending an email to your manager and HR outlining the issue
If you feel unable to speak to your manager because the issue involves them, please speak directly to HR.
It's important to keep a record of what happens and make copies of any evidence.
We acknowledge it is often hard to come forward about issues of sexual harassment, but we need your help to build a fair and safe workplace for you and your colleagues.
For more information on reporting sexual harassment, please visit our Sexual Harassment Policy (Staff Handbook).
Raising a formal complaint
Once you have reported the issue to your Manager/HR, we will then provide advice and support in resolving the issue formally or informally (depending on what is appropriate).
In some cases, it may be appropriate to resolve the situation informally and we will support you with this. However, if informal steps are not possible/appropriate or do not improve the situation, then you can raise a formal complaint.
Please refer to our Sexual Harassment Policy & Employee Grievance Procedure for information on the steps you should take to raise a formal complaint regarding sexual harassment at work.
Confronting the harasser
As mentioned above, you should report incidents of sexual harassment to your manager & HR as soon as possible so we can support you in handling the situation in the best possible way.
However, if you choose to confront the other person about their behaviour, you should:
1) have safety & wellbeing as your primary goal - be calm & constructive when you communicate.
2) Avoid raising your voice or making large gestures.
3) Remain firm, calm, and stick to facts.