PRESS RELEASE: Law Options
Written: Wednesday 9th December, 2009
SEX PESTS
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 yesterday (Tues).
While 32 per cent of those polled said they had been the subject of an inappropriate remark or suggestion, one in four of those said it came from their immediate manager.
It also emerged 16 per cent of the country's 29 million workers dread going into work each day amid the prospect of facing leering colleagues.
Around one in five said they had even been forced to fend off the advances their tormentor.
The study also threw up some worrying case studies which included:
* A 22-year-old who during her appraisal with her male boss was repeatedly told by him how good she smelled.
* A barmaid told how her boss made lewd comments towards her whenever he fell out with his wife and even made passes at her while drunk.
The study also revealed one in 20 people have quit a job due to constant sexual harrassment by their boss or colleague.
Will Burrows, Head of Employment Law for www.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.
''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 - male and female - found while 12 per cent of Brits were left upset by the remarks 17 per cent felt angry, while seven per cent lost confidence.
Five per cent even went as far as to say they were made to feel it was their fault.
The forthcoming Christmas party season is set to strike fear into 14 per cent of people who are dreading the office bash in case their boss or colleague corners them.
Research also revealed one in twenty fed-up workers have asked their boss or colleague to stop making the remarks.
But 12 per cent of those said the culprits simply found it funny and it got even worse while another 22 per cent said it stopped for a while but soon started again.
Will Burrows, from www.LawOptions.co.uk added: ''Taking steps to resolve an unsavoury work situation can seem daunting but facing the issue with knowledge on your rights in the workplace is only way to resolve the unwelcome and intimidating behaviour.
''With the Christmas party and annual appraisal season upon us, bosses and colleagues can get carried away with the either the frivolity or their 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.''
Research conducted by global market research company www.onepoll.com
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